Odaily Planet Daily News Arkham data shows that multiple governments hold a large amount of Bitcoin, totaling about $17.8 billion at current market prices. The U.S. government holds the largest share of Bitcoin, with its holdings estimated at $12 billion. It is believed that most of this cryptocurrency was seized in high-profile cases such as the 2013 Silk Road bust and subsequent operations against darknet markets. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice seized more than $1 billion worth of Bitcoin related to Silk Road, one of the largest cryptocurrency confiscations in history. The British government holds about $3.3 billion worth of Bitcoin. In 2021, the London Metropolitan Police reported that it had seized £180 million (about $250 million at the time) in cryptocurrency as part of a money laundering investigation. While the UK has been less vocal about its plans for these digital assets, the country's tax authority, HMRC, has previously auctioned off seized cryptocurrencies. Germany's holdings of Bitcoin worth about $2.2 billion have recently made headlines. In February 2024, German authorities announced plans to sell approximately €1 billion ($1.08 billion) worth of cryptocurrency, primarily Bitcoin. The German government opted for a gradual sales strategy through over-the-counter (OTC) transactions to minimize market impact. The move is one of the largest government cryptocurrency liquidations to date and has been closely watched by market participants and other governments holding seized digital assets. El Salvador has $314 million in Bitcoin in its treasury. The country became the first to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 and has since accumulated its Bitcoin holdings through direct purchases and mining operations. El Salvador's approach differs significantly from other governments as it represents a strategic investment rather than seized assets. (Decrypt)
