America Built a Bitcoin Reserve—Then Sold $6.3 Million of It Anyway
A new controversy is growing around the U.S. government’s handling of Bitcoin, raising serious questions about whether federal agencies are ignoring clear instructions from the White House on building a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
According to a recent report by Bitcoin Magazine, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) may have sold Bitcoin forfeited by the developers of Samourai Wallet, even though an executive order says such bitcoin should be held, not sold.
What Happened in the Samourai Case
Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill agreed to forfeit Bitcoin worth about $6.3 million as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). At the time of the agreement in November 2025, this amounted to roughly 57.55 BTC.
Documents show that this Bitcoin was transferred shortly after the agreement was signed. Instead of being held in government custody, blockchain data suggests the funds were sent directly to a Coinbase Prime address, which is commonly used for institutional trading.
That address now shows a zero balance, leading to concerns that the bitcoin has already been sold.
Why the Bitcoin Reserve Matters
This move is drawing attention because of Executive Order 14233, which clearly states that Bitcoin acquired through criminal or civil forfeiture should be kept as part of the United States’ Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
The order specifically says that “Government BTC shall not be sold” and should instead be preserved as a long-term strategic asset. The idea is to treat bitcoin more like gold reserves rather than something to be quickly converted into cash.
If the reports are accurate, selling this Bitcoin would directly go against that order.
Lawmakers Raise Red Flags
Senator Cynthia Lummis publicly criticized the situation, asking why the government is still liquidating bitcoin when the president has explicitly directed agencies to preserve it.
She warned that the U.S. cannot afford to waste strategic bitcoin assets while other countries are actively accumulating BTC. Her comments reflect growing concern in Washington that mixed signals from different agencies are weakening U.S. crypto strategy.
At a time when global competition over digital assets is increasing, critics say ignoring such directives could put the U.S. at a disadvantage and weaken trust in its crypto policy direction.
For now, the situation has left the crypto community watching closely, asking a simple but serious question: if the U.S. wants a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, why is it still selling bitcoin?
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FAQs
What is the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?
The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is a U.S. policy to hold forfeited bitcoin as a long-term asset, similar to gold, instead of selling it immediately.
Is the U.S. still selling seized Bitcoin despite the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?
The recent Samourai case raises concerns that some agencies may be selling forfeited Bitcoin anyway, potentially conflicting with Executive Order 14233’s mandate to hold it. This highlights ongoing implementation challenges in federal crypto policy.
Why are lawmakers concerned about the U.S. selling bitcoin?
Lawmakers like Senator Cynthia Lummis warn that selling forfeited bitcoin wastes a strategic asset while other nations accumulate it, creating mixed signals and weakening U.S. competitiveness in digital assets.
What happens if agencies ignore the Bitcoin Reserve order?
Ignoring the directive undermines national crypto strategy, potentially disadvantages the U.S. in the global digital economy, and erodes trust in the consistency of federal cryptocurrency policy.
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