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Rumors surrounding the sale of Bitcoin forfeited in the Samourai case have been put to rest. A White House crypto advisor has confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has not liquidated, nor does it intend to liquidate, the digital assets seized from Samourai Wallet. These forfeited Bitcoins are slated to become part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR).
Key Takeaways
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The US Department of Justice has confirmed that Bitcoin forfeited from the Samourai case has not been sold and will not be sold.
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These forfeited assets will be held as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
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The clarification addresses concerns that arose in November following a transfer of Bitcoin from a government-controlled address.
Addressing the Rumors
Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the White House President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he received direct confirmation from the DOJ. "We have received confirmation from DOJ that the digital assets forfeited by Samourai Wallet have not been liquidated and will not be liquidated," Witt stated, adding that the Bitcoin would remain within the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
Origin of the Concerns
The confusion began in November when blockchain analysts observed a transfer of 57.5 Bitcoin from a U.S. government-controlled address to a Coinbase Prime deposit address. This led to accusations that the Marshals Service might have violated Executive Order 14233, signed by President Donald Trump. This order stipulates that any Bitcoin obtained through criminal or civil forfeiture should not be sold and must be maintained in the SBR.
The U.S. Bitcoin Holdings
According to data from Bitcoin Treasuries, the U.S. government currently holds over 328,372 Bitcoin, valued at more than $31.3 billion at current market prices. This substantial holding includes 127,271 Bitcoin forfeited in October from a Cambodian company accused of operating a "pig butchering" crypto investment scheme.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Remains a Priority
Witt also indicated in a recent interview that the development of the SBR remains a high priority for the Trump administration. Progress is expected once the Treasury and Commerce agencies finalize agreements on handling specific legal requirements. A bill sponsored by U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis aims to expedite this process, with a goal of accumulating 1 million Bitcoin over five years through budget-neutral methods that do not burden taxpayers.
Sources
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DOJ Didn’t Sell Any Bitcoin Forfeited From Samourai case, OpenExO.
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DOJ didn't sell Bitcoin forfeited from Samourai case: White House a..., OpenExO.
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DOJ didn't sell Bitcoin forfeited from Samourai case: White House advisor — TradingView News, TradingView — Track All Markets.
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