No Government Sale: Samourai Wallet’s Bitcoin Secured in U.S. Strategic Reserve (2026 Update)
- Did the U.S. Sell Samourai Wallet’s Confiscated Bitcoin?
- Why the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Matters
- Samourai’s Fallout: Prison Time and Market Jitters
- Global BTC Holdings: Who’s Winning?
- FAQs: Your Burning Questions, Answered
Despite swirling rumors, the U.S. government hassold any of the bitcoin seized from the Samourai Wallet case. Patrick Witt, a top advisor on digital assets, confirmed the BTC remains untouched in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). Meanwhile, the U.S. solidifies its position as a global BTC heavyweight with over 328,000 coins ($31B+) under its belt. Here’s the breakdown—no fluff, just facts.
Did the U.S. Sell Samourai Wallet’s Confiscated Bitcoin?
Nope—not a single satoshi. Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the President’s Council on Digital Assets, shut down speculation this week after verifying with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The 6,000+ BTC (worth ~$6M) linked to Samourai’s developers, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, was, sparking liquidation fears. But Witt clarified:Signed by Trump, this order mandates that criminally forfeited Bitcoin (“government BTC”) must bolster the reserve, not markets.
Why the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Matters
Think of the SBR as Uncle Sam’s crypto war chest. Launched under TRUMP and championed by Senator Cynthia Lummis, its goal is to—taxpayer-free. The Samourai stash (now part of the 328,372 BTC reserve) cements the U.S. as the world’s #1 government holder, ahead of China (190K BTC) and the UK (61K BTC).Witt told Crypto in America, pending legal loose ends at Treasury and Commerce. Fun fact: The DOJ’s vault gained ~$1.8B in value since November’s seizures—talk about a bullish HODL.
Samourai’s Fallout: Prison Time and Market Jitters
Rodriguez (Samourai’s co-founder) gotfor laundering millions via the wallet’s mixing feature; Hill (CTO) took. Their case rattled privacy advocates, but the bigger shock? Bitcoin’s pricecan’t crack $100K. At press time, BTC wobbles at $95,114 (down 1% in 24h), per TradingView data. Some blame the DOJ’s slow-mo SBR rollout; others point to macro fears. Either way, the market’s itching for a catalyst.
Global BTC Holdings: Who’s Winning?
Let’s crunch numbers (courtesy of Bitcoin Treasuries):
- 🇺🇸 U.S.: 328,372 BTC ($31B+)
- 🇨🇳 China: 190,000 BTC ($18B)
- 🇬🇧 UK: 61,245 BTC ($5.8B)
With the SBR’s growth, the U.S. could soon control 5% of Bitcoin’s total supply. Not bad for a “fiat-loving” government, eh?
FAQs: Your Burning Questions, Answered
Was Samourai Wallet’s Bitcoin really sold?
The DOJ confirmed the BTC remains in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, per Executive Order 14233.
How much Bitcoin does the U.S. government hold?
As of January 2026:(worth ~$31B), making it the largest government holder globally.
What’s the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve’s goal?
To accumulate 1M BTC by 2031—without taxpayer costs—via seizures and other non-market methods.
