US Bitcoin reserve limited to seized assets, no purchases

Bitget CEO Gracy Chen says the US Bitcoin Reserve will hold only seized assets, with no direct purchases planned before Trump’s term ends due to legal and budgetary constraints.

Bitget CEO Gracy Chen has stated that the US government is unlikely to purchase Bitcoin for its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve before the end of President Donald Trump’s term. The reserve, established by executive order in March 2025, is restricted to Bitcoin seized or forfeited through criminal and civil proceedings. No taxpayer funds will be used for acquisitions, and there are no plans for market purchases. The executive order also prohibits the sale of these holdings, positioning the reserve as a repository for seized assets rather than an active investment vehicle. Chen highlighted that any direct government purchase of Bitcoin would encounter significant political and budgetary challenges, requiring extensive debate among lawmakers. As of mid-2026, the US government’s Bitcoin holdings—estimated between 198,000 and 328,372 BTC—have been accumulated solely through law enforcement actions. The administration has authorized exploration of fiscally neutral strategies for acquiring more BTC, but no direct purchase program has been implemented. The reserve’s creation has not generated new market demand and remains largely symbolic.