US government keeps seized Samourai Wallet Bitcoin in reserve
5 Investments U.S. officials confirm Bitcoin seized from Samourai Wallet developers remains unsold in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, following an executive order prohibiting its liquidation.
U.S. officials have confirmed that Bitcoin seized from Samourai Wallet developers has not been sold and will remain on the government’s balance sheet as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This statement comes after reports suggested that approximately 57.55 Bitcoin, valued at about $6.3 million, may have been sold via Coinbase Prime—claims which officials have now denied. The Department of Justice clarified that, in accordance with Executive Order 14233, the forfeited digital assets "have not been liquidated and will not be liquidated." The order requires that Bitcoin acquired through forfeiture must be retained as a strategic reserve asset and not sold. This policy marks a significant shift from previous practices of auctioning seized crypto, setting a new precedent for handling confiscated digital assets. The Samourai Wallet case has also sparked debate over the treatment of noncustodial crypto software and the government’s stance on privacy-focused technologies.
