Accused of the Ministry of Justice secretly selling Bitcoin reserves? White House investigation results: No sales, and will not sell in the future.

White House clarifies that the US government has not sold seized Bitcoin; related assets will be incorporated into the national strategic Bitcoin reserve under an executive order, symbolizing a shift in US crypto policy from liquidation to long-term holding.

White House officials clarify: Seized Bitcoin assets will not be sold

In response to recent market rumors about the US government selling assets, Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the White House Digital Asset Advisory Council, officially clarified last Saturday (1/17) via social platform X that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed that Bitcoin ($BTC) seized from the developer of privacy wallet service Samourai Wallet has not been liquidated and will not be sold in the future.

Patrick Witt pointed out that these digital assets will be fully retained on the US government’s balance sheet in accordance with Executive Order 14233 and officially incorporated into the “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” (SBR).

Image source: X/@patrickjwitt White House Digital Asset Advisory Council Executive Director Patrick Witt clarified that the Bitcoin ($BTC) seized from the developer of privacy wallet service Samourai Wallet has not been liquidated and will not be sold in the future.

Earlier, blockchain analysts observed an on-chain transfer of approximately 57.55 BTC in early January, moving from a government-controlled address to a Coinbase Prime deposit address. Since the address’s balance subsequently dropped to zero, the market briefly panicked, believing that the US Marshals Service (USMS) was ignoring the ban signed by President Donald Trump in March 2025 and cashing out the assets privately.

However, the DOJ later explained that this transfer was merely an “administrative” operation and not a genuine sale. This clarification not only eased investor concerns but also signaled a major shift in the US government’s digital asset management policy.

Further reading
Ignoring the strategic reserve order? US DOJ suspected of secretly selling 57 BTC, Trump advisor: We are investigating

From liquidation to reserve, US crypto policy undergoes transformation

The legal basis behind this decision is Executive Order 14233 signed by President Trump. The order explicitly states that all “government Bitcoin” obtained through criminal or civil forfeiture is prohibited from sale and must be held long-term as national reserve assets. This marks a significant departure from the past few years when the US government routinely liquidated seized assets through public auctions.

In an interview, Patrick Witt emphasized that establishing a strategic reserve remains a priority for the Trump administration, aiming to treat Bitcoin as a long-term strategic resource on par with gold and sovereign currencies.

Currently, the US government holds a substantial amount of Bitcoin. According to on-chain data analysis, the US officially holds about 328,000 BTC, worth over $31 billion at current market prices. These assets mainly originate from law enforcement seizures related to cybercrime and scams. This policy implementation signifies that Bitcoin is no longer merely considered evidence of crime or property awaiting disposal but is officially integrated into the national economic and security strategy. Market analysts believe that halting immediate liquidation of seized assets can effectively reduce unexpected supply pressures and price volatility.

Developers face adversity, pardon rumors become industry focus

Although the assets are retained in the reserve, the two founders of Samourai Wallet, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, remain in difficult circumstances. In 2025, they were charged with money laundering and operating an unlicensed remittance business for operating wallets with “mixing” features. The court sentenced them to five and four years in prison respectively, and they are currently incarcerated. This case has sparked significant controversy within the crypto community, with critics arguing it is excessive enforcement against non-custodial software developers.

Interestingly, President Trump revealed in December 2025 that he was considering pardoning Keonne Rodriguez and had instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the case further. However, as of January 2026, no pardon has been officially issued. Rodriguez’s wife, Lauren Emily Rodriguez, expressed concerns that actions by the Southern District of New York (SDNY) might be contrary to White House wishes. This struggle involving privacy technology, law enforcement authority, and presidential will has become a landmark event in US digital asset legislation.

Globalization of strategic reserves? US example prompts follow-up

As the US officially implements its strategic Bitcoin reserve policy, its international influence is rapidly expanding. Patrick Witt pointed out that coordination between executive agencies and law enforcement is strengthening, although historically their pace has been inconsistent. Currently, this cooperation represents positive progress. This model of converting seized assets “from private to public, from sale to reserve” is becoming a standard for other governments to emulate.

Additionally, US Congress is actively pushing related legislation. Senator Cynthia Lummis proposed the Bitcoin Reserve Act, aiming to accumulate 1 million BTC within five years. Although the current CLARITY Act has been delayed in the Senate due to disagreements with industry giants like Coinbase, the overall policy direction seems difficult to reverse.

The US government is attempting to accumulate assets in a budget-neutral manner without increasing taxpayer burden. For the global crypto market, the shift of the US from “largest potential seller” to “strategic holder” is undoubtedly a significant milestone toward mainstream adoption and legalization of the industry.