A significant discrepancy has emerged concerning the U.S. government’s Bitcoin holdings, with official confirmations revealing an amount considerably lower than widely circulated estimates. A recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has prompted the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to officially declare its possession of precisely 28,988.35643016 BTC, an asset pool valued at approximately $3.44 billion at current market prices.
This authoritative figure, detailed in a letter dated July 15 from the Office of General Counsel and originating from the USMS Asset Forfeiture Division, directly contradicts long-standing public perceptions. For years, the prevailing narrative suggested U.S. government agencies collectively held approximately 198,012 BTC, with some analytical platforms, including Arkham, estimating the total value closer to $25 billion. This larger figure often incorporated hypothetical seizures by various other entities like the IRS or FBI, a claim that has historically been difficult to substantiate given the fragmented nature of government data and the absence of a centralized repository for seized digital assets.
- The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) officially holds 28,988.35643016 BTC, valued at approximately $3.44 billion.
- This confirmed amount is significantly lower than previous public estimates of around 198,012 BTC.
- The data was disclosed via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, detailed in a July 15 letter from the USMS Asset Forfeiture Division.
- The USMS acts as the primary federal agency for managing and liquidating seized crypto assets.
- The discrepancy underscores the challenge of verifying U.S. government crypto holdings due to fragmented data.
Clarifying U.S. Crypto Holdings
The FOIA request, initiated on March 24 by journalist L0la L33tz via x.com, specifically sought a precise accounting of the U.S. Marshals Service’s Bitcoin reserves. The official response marks the first documented, case-by-case breakdown of these holdings, featuring only minor redactions for legal and security protocols, none of which impacted the disclosed total Bitcoin sum.
The U.S. Marshals Service functions as the principal federal agency tasked with managing seized cryptocurrency assets. Its responsibilities encompass the secure storage, maintenance, and eventual liquidation of these assets, typically through public auctions. A significant historical precedent involved the Department of Justice’s authorization to sell 69,370 BTC shortly before Donald Trump assumed office in January 2017. This established protocol implies that substantial unannounced sales are improbable, thereby reinforcing the credibility of the recently disclosed figures.
Implications and Future Transparency
The newly verified data underscores the critical importance of official disclosures, particularly within an asset class highly susceptible to speculation. The substantial reduction in the perceived U.S. government Bitcoin holdings could significantly influence market sentiment and recalibrate analytical models that had previously factored in a far larger supply under governmental control. To further bolster transparency, L33tz is reportedly preparing a second FOIA request. This upcoming inquiry aims to determine whether the current Bitcoin stash is managed through specific third-party custodians, such as Coinbase Prime, a platform previously utilized for handling government-seized crypto assets.
Blockchain developer and writer, Daniel combines hands-on coding experience with accessible storytelling. He holds multiple blockchain certifications and authors technical explainers, protocol deep-dives, and developer tutorials to help readers navigate the intersection of code and finance.