TLDR
- The U.S. Treasury has confirmed that all seized Bitcoin will be added to the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
- This decision marks a departure from the previous practice of selling seized cryptocurrency at auction.
- The U.S. government now treats Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset similar to gold or oil stockpiles.
- The Treasury aims to create the best regulatory environment for digital assets through this new policy.
- 57.55 BTC seized from Samourai Wallet developers will remain in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
- U.S. officials clarified that the confiscated Bitcoin will not be sold or liquidated.
The U.S. Treasury has reaffirmed its stance on seized Bitcoin. All Bitcoin that is confiscated will now be added to the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) instead of being sold at auction. This new policy shift marks a significant departure from previous practices of liquidating seized cryptocurrency.
U.S. Government’s Policy Shift on Seized Bitcoin
In a recent statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the government’s decision to halt the sale of any seized Bitcoin. Instead, the assets will be added to the newly established Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This move is part of a broader strategy to manage digital assets within the U.S. financial system.
Bessent highlighted that the SBR will treat Bitcoin like a long-term strategic asset, similar to gold or oil stockpiles. He made these remarks during a conversation at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The reserve, created under an executive order in March 2025, will hold all confiscated Bitcoin until the resolution of any related legal cases.
Bitcoin Reserve and U.S. Digital Asset Strategy
The U.S. government’s approach to Bitcoin emphasizes maintaining control over digital assets. Bessent pointed out that the Treasury Department aims to create the best regulatory environment for digital assets. The move to add Bitcoin to the reserve is a key component of this vision, helping to ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of cryptocurrency innovation.
The policy is also part of an ongoing effort to bring digital-asset innovation to U.S. soil. As part of this initiative, the Treasury seeks to ensure that any Bitcoin forfeited in legal proceedings will not be sold or liquidated. Instead, it will be retained in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve as a long-term asset, pending the resolution of any legal issues.
Clarifications on Seized Bitcoin from Samourai Wallet Developers
The U.S. Treasury also responded to recent reports surrounding Bitcoin seized from Samourai Wallet developers. It was confirmed that 57.55 BTC, worth approximately $6.3 million, will not be sold. This clarification follows rumors that the U.S. Marshals Service may have transferred the Bitcoin to a Coinbase Prime address, suggesting a possible sale.
Patrick Witt, a member of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, reiterated that the Bitcoin had not been liquidated. The Department of Justice also confirmed that the BTC would remain part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve under Executive Order 14233. This statement effectively put an end to speculation regarding the potential violation of the order.
The clarification from U.S. officials strengthens the commitment to keeping seized Bitcoin in the reserve. It signals the administration’s intent to manage these assets in a way that aligns with its long-term strategy for digital asset oversight.
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