- The US government holds nearly $23B in Bitcoin.
- Ethereum holdings also exceed $800M.
- These assets were largely seized from criminal cases.
In a surprising shift, the US government has emerged as a major crypto whale, now holding approximately $22.95 billion in Bitcoin and $803.26 million in Ethereum . These holdings place the US among the top global holders of digital assets, a position it didn’t actively pursue but acquired largely through law enforcement operations.
Over the years, federal agencies have seized significant amounts of cryptocurrency during criminal investigations—mostly related to dark web markets, fraud schemes, and other illicit activities. The most notable example is the seizure of over 50,000 BTC linked to the Silk Road case. Rather than liquidating all seized assets immediately, the government has been holding a large portion of them, which have now appreciated significantly in value.
How the US Acquired Billions in Crypto
The Bitcoin and Ethereum held by the government weren’t bought in a traditional investment strategy. Instead, they were collected through court-ordered forfeitures and legal seizures. After seizing crypto, it’s usually stored in digital wallets controlled by the U.S. Marshals Service or other federal agencies.
This passive accumulation strategy has unintentionally turned the government into a long-term HODLer. With Bitcoin’s price surging in 2025 and Ethereum also showing solid performance, the US government’s crypto wallet is booming.
This also raises new questions about how the government will handle these assets moving forward. Will they continue holding, or will they begin selling during market peaks to fund public programs or reduce deficits?
Impact on the Crypto Market
While the government’s holdings remain untouched for now, any large movement or auction could impact the crypto markets. In the past, auctions of seized BTC have stirred speculation and price volatility. Traders and analysts will be watching closely for signs of future sell-offs.
As of now, the sheer scale of these holdings positions the US government as a silent but powerful player in the crypto space, influencing market sentiment simply by owning such a large stash.
Read also:
- US Government Holds $23B in Bitcoin, $800M in Ethereum
- Bitcoin Nears All-Time High with Just 7.4% to Go
- Crypto Weekly: OpenSea Incentives, Scroll DAO Halt & More
- XRP Surges Past $188B Market Cap Milestone
- Fidelity Buys $178M Worth of Ethereum
