US SEC Chair: Whether to seize Venezuelan Bitcoin is not within my authority

Recent market rumors suggest that Venezuela may hold approximately 60 billion USD worth of Bitcoin, and some speculate that the US government might intervene and seize these assets in the future. In response, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins did not directly address these rumors in a recent interview, merely stating that the situation remains to be observed as it develops.

US Moves to Arrest Maduro, Political Turmoil in Venezuela

Recently, under the directive of President Trump, the US military took action against Venezuela, successfully arresting and overthrowing then-President Nicolás Maduro, and transporting him to the United States. He is expected to face multiple criminal charges in New York. This operation has attracted significant international attention and prompted a reassessment of Venezuela’s past strategies and controversies in finance and cryptocurrency sectors.

Although it remains unclear whether Bitcoin is involved, the regime change itself has become an important backdrop for the market to reevaluate Venezuela’s assets and capital flows.

Bitcoin Rumors Surface, Market Begins to Discuss Its Destination

Following the news of regime change, media outlets and social platforms have circulated reports suggesting that the Venezuelan government may hold as many as 600,000 Bitcoin. Based on current prices, this would be worth approximately 60 billion USD.

This claim quickly sparked discussions in the market, with many speculating whether, if such assets truly exist, they might be seized or taken over by the US in the future. During a program, the host directly referenced related reports and asked SEC Chairman Atkins how these Bitcoins might be handled in the future, bringing this rumor into mainstream media discussion.

On-Chain Analysis Limited, Rumors Lack Evidence

Regarding these rumors, several blockchain analysts and on-chain data platforms have stated that it is currently impossible to verify on the public blockchain whether Venezuela indeed holds such a large amount of Bitcoin, nor can they identify addresses directly linked to the government.

In other words, the claimed 60 billion USD worth of Bitcoin remains at the level of “public rumor,” without technical proof. However, the public also recalls that Maduro’s government has previously engaged in the cryptocurrency space, having launched the oil-backed cryptocurrency “Petro” in 2018, attempting to find new financial avenues amid sanctions and currency crises, indicating that the regime is not entirely disconnected from the crypto industry.

(Venezuela Ends Oil-Backed Cryptocurrency )Pedro(: A Failed Nation’s Cryptocurrency(

Atkins Responds Publicly, Seizure Not Within His Responsibilities

When asked by the host whether the US would seize these “allegedly Venezuelan Bitcoins,” Atkins responded that it remains to be seen how the situation develops. He described the entire operation as quite astonishing and mentioned that the President, Secretary of State Rubio, and the US armed forces are working to help Venezuela move toward peace, freedom, and prosperity, while also ensuring the safety of the American people.

When further asked whether the US would directly seize the Bitcoins, Atkins emphasized that such decisions would be handled by other government departments and are not within his scope of responsibilities. His current focus is on the upcoming cryptocurrency legislation, the “Clarity Act,” to be discussed in Congress.

)Disappearing 60 Billion USD in Bitcoin: Who is Alex Saab, the Mastermind Behind Venezuela’s Crypto Black Gold After Maduro’s Arrest?)

This article, “SEC Chairman: Seizing Venezuela’s Bitcoin Is Not Within My Authority,” first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.