The U.S. Government’s Bitcoin Holdings: A Breakdown of Major Seizures
The U.S. government has accumulated a significant amount of Bitcoin over the years, primarily through the seizure of assets tied to illegal activities. From dark web marketplaces to fraudulent schemes, these seizures have made the U.S. one of the largest holders of Bitcoin globally. Let’s break down the total amount the U.S. government holds as of today.
1) Silk Road Seizures
The original Silk Road marketplace, notorious for illegal goods and services, was shut down in 2013. The U.S. government seized over 69,369 BTC in the first operation and 50,676 BTC in later investigations. After accounting for the 9,861 BTC sold, the U.S. government still holds approximately 110,183.83 BTC from Silk Road-related cases.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice - Silk Road Seizure (2013)
2) BitConnect Seizure
In 2018, the U.S. government seized 69,370 BTC from the BitConnect scam, a massive Ponzi scheme that targeted investors globally.
Source: Bitcoin Seized from BitConnect Scam
3) PlusToken Scam
The PlusToken Ponzi scheme led to the seizure of 94,500 BTC by U.S. authorities, further contributing to the U.S. government’s Bitcoin reserves.
Source: PlusToken Scam Bitcoin Seizure
Total Bitcoin Seized
Silk Road Seizures (after sale): 110,183.83 BTCBitConnect Seizure: 69,370 BTCPlusToken Seizure: 94,500 BTC
Grand Total: 110,183.83 BTC + 69,370 BTC + 94,500 BTC = 274,053.83 BTC
When we combine these major seizures, the U.S. government’s total Bitcoin holdings are estimated to be around 274,053.83 BTC. This total is based on known public seizures and does not include any additional smaller or ongoing investigations.
The U.S. government’s holdings represent approximately 1.30% of the entire Bitcoin supply. This places the U.S. government among the top Bitcoin holders in the world.
As one of the largest Bitcoin holders, the U.S. government’s role in the cryptocurrency space continues to raise important questions about the future of digital assets.
