DOJ Retains Seized Bitcoin from Samourai Wallet, No Liquidation Planned

DOJ Confirms Seized Bitcoin Retention

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed that Bitcoin seized from the Samourai Wallet case will not be liquidated but will remain as part of the U.S. government's Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Key Takeaways

• The DOJ's decision to retain Bitcoin aligns with Executive Order 14233, signed by Donald Trump in March 2025, which prohibits the sale of seized Bitcoin.
• Approximately 57 Bitcoin were forfeited following the prosecution of Samourai Wallet founders for operating a Bitcoin mixing service.
• The U.S. government holds around 328,000 Bitcoin in total, valued at about $31.2 billion, as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Insight into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, managed by the U.S. Treasury, is designed to hold seized Bitcoin as a national asset. This marks a strategic shift from previous practices where forfeited crypto assets were sold.

Recent onchain data from Arkham Intelligence indicates that the U.S. government’s Bitcoin holdings form a significant part of its asset management strategy, leveraging the digital currency's potential long-term value.

Patrick Witt, executive director of the White House President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, confirmed that recent transfers did not indicate a sale, clarifying the assets remain under government control.

Editor's note: This article includes updates on U.S. government Bitcoin reserves.