The US government has acquired cryptocurrencies in a variety of ways, not as a result of direct investment, but rather often through legal processes and law enforcement. The most important of these methods include:
1. Legal confiscation:
The US government, through agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has seized large amounts of cryptocurrency while pursuing criminal activities.
The most prominent example is the seizure of cryptocurrencies from the infamous Silk Road platform, which was used to trade drugs and weapons over the dark web. This seizure resulted in the government seizing huge amounts of Bitcoin.
2. Bankruptcy and Courts:
The government may seize cryptocurrencies as a result of companies going bankrupt or exchanges facing legal problems. For example:
In the case of FTX, which declared bankruptcy, authorities seized assets including cryptocurrencies during the investigation.
Liquidation of assets linked to fraud or financial crimes can include cryptocurrencies.
3. Disposal of confiscated assets:
The government does not hold cryptocurrencies for long periods of time. Instead, it often sells them at public auctions to raise funds. For example:
In 2021, the US government sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of seized Bitcoin.
Has the government invested in cryptocurrencies?
So far, there is no evidence that the US government has directly invested in cryptocurrencies. However:
Some government institutions such as the SEC and CFTC are closely monitoring the cryptocurrency market and developing regulations that govern this sector.
There may be pilot projects related to the development of national digital currencies (such as a digital dollar).
Conclusion:
The US government did not obtain cryptocurrencies through investment, but rather through legal confiscations or criminal investigations. These coins are often sold at public auctions, and the proceeds are used to support the national budget or for legal purposes.
