US Marshals Sitting on $1.6B Bitcoin Stash—FOIA Request Exposes Shadow Treasury

Law enforcement's crypto vault just got a spotlight.

The US Marshals Service is quietly holding $1.6 billion in seized Bitcoin—revealed only after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request pierced the bureaucratic veil. No fancy custody solutions here; just old-school government hoarding.

Who needs a ETF when you've got badges and warrants?

This isn't your average HODL strategy. While Wall Street fights for SEC approval, federal agents accidentally became one of Bitcoin's largest institutional holders. The irony? These coins were confiscated from criminals who probably believed in 'no keys, no cheese.'

One question remains: When does this pile get auctioned—and will the Marshals finally learn what a cold wallet is?

TLDR

• A recent FOIA request reveals that the US Marshals Service holds at least $1.6 billion in Bitcoin.
• The documents suggest the Marshals hold approximately 28,988 BTC, valued at an average price of $56,000 per coin.
• The US government’s Bitcoin holdings could exceed $23.6 billion, with over 198,000 BTC controlled across various agencies.
• The US Marshals Service has struggled to track its exact Bitcoin holdings, despite significant amounts of crypto under its custody.
• The FOIA request shines a light on the US Marshals’ role in handling seized and forfeited crypto assets.

A recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has revealed that the US Marshals Service holds at least $1.6 billion in Bitcoin (BTC). This was uncovered by journalist L0la L33tz, who accessed documents detailing the holdings of the agency’s forfeiture department. The findings highlight the extent of crypto assets in the government’s custody, underscoring the role of federal agencies in the growing crypto space.

US Marshals’ Bitcoin Holdings Estimated at 28,988 BTC

The documents obtained by L33tz suggest that the US Marshals Service holds approximately 28,988 BTC. This estimate implies that the government agency values these holdings at an average price of $56,000 per coin. Given the current market conditions, these assets are potentially worth around $3.4 billion. The exact figures remain unclear, as key details such as case numbers and receipt dates were redacted from the report.

Hey @DavidFBailey, man of your word, looks like you owe me $10,000 https://t.co/4zE0pugqpr pic.twitter.com/LSYpkheJGH

— L0la L33tz (@L0laL33tz) July 16, 2025

Blockchain analysis firm Arkham estimates that the US government holds more than 198,000 BTC, valued at approximately $23.6 billion. However, the FOIA request focused exclusively on forfeited funds, which may not include all government-held Bitcoin. The discrepancy highlights the difference between public estimates and the detailed breakdown provided in the documents.

Agency Struggles to Track Bitcoin Holdings

Despite holding significant amounts of Bitcoin, the US Marshals Service has struggled to keep track of its crypto assets. Sources have indicated that the agency is unaware of its exact Bitcoin holdings and faces challenges in estimating the amount. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring all federal agencies to audit their crypto holdings by April 5. However, no reports have been released, leaving questions about the full scope of government-held cryptocurrency assets.

The US Marshals Service is tasked with seizing and holding criminal assets, including digital currencies. As a result, it is likely one of the federal agencies holding the largest amounts of crypto. The discovery of these holdings could also result in a $10,000 reward for L33tz, offered by Nakamoto bitcoin Treasury founder David Bailey.