#What Is the Current Status of Seized Bitcoin in the Samourai Wallet Case?
The US Department of Justice has clarified an important detail regarding the seized Bitcoin from the Samourai Wallet case. Rather than being liquidated, this Bitcoin will remain within the US government's Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This decision is backed by Executive Order 14233, which explicitly prohibits the sale of any seized Bitcoin, ensuring these assets remain an official part of the government's financial strategy.
Patrick Witt, who serves as the Executive Director of the White House President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, announced this via his official platform. He assured that the digital assets involved will not be put up for sale and will continue to serve as a national asset on the government's balance sheet.
Earlier this month, tensions arose when on-chain analysts identified a transfer of approximately $6.3 million worth of Bitcoin from the Samourai Wallet to Coinbase Prime. This movement created speculation about the potential liquidation of the assets by either the US Marshals Service or the Department of Justice, which could have violated the mentioned executive order. However, this recent confirmation puts those concerns to rest.
This initiative originates from the legal actions against the founders of Samourai Wallet, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, who faced prosecution between 2024 and 2025 for operating a privacy-focused mixing service. As part of their plea deal, about 57 BTC was forfeited.
The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve represents a departure from past policies, aiming to retain Bitcoin as a permanent asset rather than auctioning it off as seen in prior administrations. This strategic shift aligns with broader governmental plans to integrate cryptocurrency into national financial frameworks more securely and sustainably.