White House Confirms US Government Will Not Sell Bitcoin Holdings Amid Strategic Reserve Implementation Challenges

US Government Denies Bitcoin Sales from Recent Seizures

The United States government has officially denied reports that it liquidated Bitcoin confiscated from Samourai Wallet developers, according to Patrick Witt, director of the White House Crypto Council. The clarification came after widespread speculation in the cryptocurrency community about potential sales that would have contradicted President Donald Trump's executive order establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve ^[1].

"We have received confirmation from the Department of Justice that the seized digital assets have not been liquidated and will not be liquidated," Witt stated, adding that the Bitcoin would remain on the US government's balance sheet as part of the strategic reserve ^[1].

Confusion Over Asset Liquidation Agreement

The controversy originated from a Bitcoin Magazine report indicating that Samourai Wallet developers had agreed to transfer 57.55 BTC, valued at $6.3 million, to the U.S. Marshals Service as part of their plea agreement. The report suggested these assets would be sold under an "Asset Liquidation Agreement" ^[1].

The U.S. Marshals Service quickly responded, stating it "has not sold the mentioned Bitcoin" and expressed confusion about the source of the information, noting that Bitcoin Magazine "neither fact-checked nor requested information" from them ^[1].

Political Concerns Over Asset Management

Senator Cynthia Lummis, a prominent pro-cryptocurrency politician, voiced concerns about the reported sales. "We cannot afford to waste these strategic assets while other nations are hoarding Bitcoin," she stated, expressing deep concern about the speculation ^[1].

According to BitcoinTreasuries data, the United States currently holds 328,372 BTC worth $31.3 billion, acquired through various asset seizures ^[1]. Investment strategist Cathie Wood anticipates this figure could grow, predicting that "the USA will actively buy Bitcoin" ^[1].

Legal Obstacles Delay Strategic Reserve Implementation

While progress is being made toward establishing a formal Bitcoin strategic reserve, complex legal provisions are hindering the process, according to Witt. Multiple government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Office of Legal Counsel, are engaged in discussions about the regulatory framework ^[2].

"It seems straightforward, but then you get into some obscure legal provisions, and why this agency can't do it, but actually, this other agency could," Witt explained during an appearance on the Crypto in America podcast. "We're continuing to push on that. It is certainly still on the priority list right now" ^[2].

Trump's March 2025 executive order established both a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a broader "Digital Asset Stockpile" that includes altcoins and other cryptocurrencies ^[2].

Community Criticism of Limited Scope

The executive order has drawn criticism from portions of the Bitcoin community because it restricts the government to only adding Bitcoin seized through asset forfeiture cases, without authorization to purchase additional Bitcoin on the open market ^[2].

Bitcoin maximalist Justin Bechler expressed skepticism about the initiative: "The belief that the federal government will one day build a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve requires a complete detachment from reality. There is no movement toward a Bitcoin reserve. There is no intention to acquire a fixed-supply asset in good faith. There are only empty speeches, vague references and opportunistic pandering from Washington politicians" ^[2].

A digital asset policy report released by the Trump administration in July 2025 failed to include additional details on the strategic Bitcoin reserve, further disappointing members of the cryptocurrency community ^[2].

In August 2025, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed potential budget-neutral strategies for acquiring Bitcoin that would not increase the annual deficit, such as converting portions of other reserve assets or revaluing precious metals holdings. This announcement renewed hopes for government Bitcoin purchases on the open market ^[2].