Newly released documents reveal a startling truth: The US government owns just 28,988 Bitcoin—only 15% of the widely assumed 200,000 BTC total. This $3.47 billion holding is far smaller than the $24 billion figure often cited, raising questions about where the rest actually is.
Key Findings from the FOIA Documents
✅ Actual government-owned BTC: 28,988 ($3.47B)
✅ Remaining 170,000+ BTC: Seized but not forfeited (may be returned)
✅ Bitfinex case alone: Could reclaim ~94,000 BTC (48% of total)
“This completely changes the math for any government crypto strategy,” says blockchain analyst Mark Johnson.
Why This Matters
🔹 Sell-off fears overblown – Biden can’t liquidate seized assets
🔹 Trump’s “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” plans may need revising
🔹 Market impact limited – Most BTC isn’t actually government-owned
The Seized vs. Forfeited Difference
- Forfeited BTC (28,988): Government can sell/spend
- Seized BTC (~170,000): Held pending legal outcomes
- Bitfinex hack: 94,000 BTC potentially returning to creditors
- Other cases: Assets may still be reclaimed
What This Means for Crypto Markets
1️⃣ Less sell pressure than feared (only 28,988 BTC at risk)
2️⃣ Bitfinex creditors could become major market players
3️⃣ Political crypto plans need reality checks
