US Official Confirms: Seized Bitcoin From Samourai Case Remains Unsold

Hold the presses—the government hasn't dumped the stash.

In a move that's raising eyebrows across crypto circles, a U.S. official has clarified that the Bitcoin seized in the high-profile Samourai Wallet case is still sitting in custody. No firesale. No market dump. For now.

The Waiting Game

This isn't how the script usually goes. Major seizures often lead to speculation about impending sell-offs that could pressure prices. Yet here, the assets are in limbo—a digital pile of evidence rather than a Treasury Department windfall. It leaves traders guessing about the eventual exit strategy.

Why It Matters for Your Stack

When large, illiquid holdings get locked up, it temporarily tightens supply. No coins hitting the market means one less source of sell-side pressure—a subtle bullish tailwind that purists love to cite. It's the old 'supply shock' narrative, dusted off for another day.

The Regulatory Shadow

Let's be real: the seizure itself is the main event. It signals regulators are still keen to track—and crack—down on privacy tools. The fact they're holding, not selling, might just mean the legal process is slower than a Bitcoin block in 2010. Or perhaps they've finally learned that crashing the market before a case closes is bad optics—and worse for the budget.

So, the coins are frozen. The case grinds on. And the market gets to breathe, for another day, without a bureaucratic sell order looming. Just don't expect the Feds to become HODLers out of philosophical conviction—it's all just evidence waiting for its day in court. After all, in traditional finance, they'd have already leveraged it into a derivative and sold it three times over.

White House Advisor Confirms No Sale

Reports have disclosed that about 57.55 BTC — roughly $6.3 million at recent prices — moved through addresses that some observers tracked, which sparked claims the coins had been sold.

The WHITE House adviser, Patrick Witt, stepped in to clear up the matter, saying the Department of Justice confirmed there was no sale.

The coins will be kept in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in line with Executive Order 14233, signed in March 2025 by US President Donald Trump. That order directs that seized Bitcoin be held rather than auctioned off.

UPDATE: we have received confirmation from DOJ that the digital assets forfeited by Samourai Wallet have not been liquidated and will not be liquidated, per EO 14233. They will remain on the USG balance sheet as part of the SBR. https://t.co/v2GchC3vk8

— Patrick Witt (@patrickjwitt) January 16, 2026

Movement Of Coins Triggered Questions

Based on reports from blockchain analysts, a transfer to a Coinbase Prime address led to speculation about a disposal. Market watchers noticed the trail and raised alarms because a sale could have put extra downward pressure on prices.

Some traders reacted quickly to the noise. But officials explain that transfers between custody systems do not always mean liquidation. In this case, the DOJ and related agencies say the transfer was an internal custody step and not a sale to private buyers.

The legal action against the Samourai Wallet developers centered on charges tied to running an unlicensed money-transmitting service and aiding money laundering through mixer tools.

Those charged pleaded guilty. The forfeiture order followed those convictions, and the Bitcoin in question became part of the assets the government controls after the court rulings.

How the government manages such holdings has been a fast-moving policy issue since Executive Order 14233 was issued, which set new rules for seized crypto.

According to officials, holding seized Bitcoin in a national reserve is meant to avoid sudden market shocks that could follow large government sales.

Some critics argue the reserve gives the government a powerful financial tool, while supporters say it prevents volatile swings.

The announcement eased some short-term market worries because uncertainty about a possible sale had been cited as a potential pressure point for crypto prices.

Based on reports and social posts from crypto advocates, opinions remain split. Some welcomed the clarification as stabilizing.

Others want more transparency on how the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve will be run and when, if ever, coins might leave it.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle may ask for hearings or written briefings to get clearer answers about custody practices and future plans.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView