Bitcoin Sales Spark Debate Over U.S. Strategic Holdings as Global Competition Intensifies

A notable contradiction has emerged in U.S. government Bitcoin policy, prompting sharp criticism from key policymakers. U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis recently highlighted an alarming inconsistency: while the presidential executive order designates confiscated Bitcoin as part of the nation’s strategic reserves, federal agencies continue disposing of these holdings through direct sales.

The controversy centers on a specific case reported by journalist Frank Corva, which revealed that the Department of Justice sold Bitcoin previously obtained through a plea agreement involving a Samourai Wallet developer. This transaction directly contradicts the administration’s stated intention to build and maintain a strategic Bitcoin reserve—a position that gained momentum as discussions about national digital asset stockpiles intensified globally.

Lummis’s concern extends beyond this single transaction. Her warning underscores a critical strategic vulnerability: as major international economies actively pursue Bitcoin accumulation strategies, perceived inconsistency in U.S. policy risks undermining the nation’s competitive positioning. The senator’s remarks suggest this isn’t merely about one sale, but rather a broader misalignment between stated policy objectives and execution.

The timing of this debate is particularly significant given Bitcoin’s current valuation around $91.91K. With the asset’s role in potential national reserves becoming increasingly central to geopolitical economic strategy, policymakers face mounting pressure to ensure coordinated and decisive action rather than fragmented government operations working at cross-purposes.

The broader implication remains clear: if the U.S. commits to treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset worthy of reserve status, then systematic liquidation by uncoordinated agencies undermines that strategic objective during a critical period of global digital asset competition.