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The US government has not sold bitcoin seized in the Samourai Wallet case, according to White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt, who said he received direct confirmation from the Department of Justice that the forfeited assets remain intact and will be reserved for the nation’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
The clarification addresses weeks of market speculation triggered by a 57.5 BTC transfer to a Coinbase Prime address that some analysts interpreted as preparation for liquidation.
Questions around Fortified samourai bitcoin first surfaced in November, when blockchain trackers identified the transaction and speculated that the US government might be preparing to sell seized assets. The concerns spread quickly across crypto markets, where traders remain sensitive to large-scale government movements of Bitcoin.
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
Critics pointed to Executive Order 14233, signed by President Donald Trump in March, which explicitly states that any Bitcoin obtained through criminal or civil forfeiture “shall not be sold” and must instead be retained for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Some observers went as far as accusing the US Marshals Service of violating the directive.
The DOJ’s confirmation, relayed by Witt, directly contradicts those claims and reinforces that Fortified samourai bitcoin is being treated as a strategic holding rather than a disposable asset.
Witt reiterated that expanding and safeguarding the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is a central policy goal. He said retaining Fortified samourai bitcoin aligns with the administration’s broader view of Bitcoin as a long-term store of value and geopolitical asset.
“Progress depends on coordination between the Treasury and Commerce departments,” Witt said in a recent interview, noting that custody frameworks, legal authorities, and operational processes still need refinement. “But the direction is clear: assets like Fortified samourai bitcoin are not meant to be flipped for short-term gains.”
Public data underscores the scale of US holdings. According to Bitcoin Treasuries, federal authorities control approximately 328,372 BTC, valued at more than $31 billion at current prices. That figure includes Fortified samourai bitcoin and 127,271 BTC forfeited in October from a Cambodia-based entity accused of operating a pig-butchering investment scam.
Beyond executive policy, legislative momentum is also building. Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bill proposing that the US acquire up to 1 million Bitcoin over five years. The proposal emphasizes budget-neutral methods, arguing that reserve accumulation should not burden taxpayers.
Supporters say holding assets such as Fortified samourai bitcoin strengthens the US balance sheet and signals long-term confidence in digital assets. “This is about strategic positioning,” one congressional aide said. “Keeping Fortified samourai bitcoin instead of selling it sends a powerful message to global markets.”
Skeptics, however, warn about volatility and governance risks associated with concentrating large Bitcoin holdings under government control.
The attention on Fortified samourai bitcoin is inseparable from the high-profile Samourai Wallet prosecution. In November, two developers behind the privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet were sentenced to prison after prosecutors alleged the platform processed more than $237 million in criminal proceeds.
Keonne Rodriguez received a five-year sentence on Nov. 6, while his co-developer, Hill, was sentenced to four years on Nov. 19. Both were ordered to forfeit roughly $6.3 million in fees, contributing to the pool of Fortified samourai bitcoin and related assets now held by the government.
Prosecutors argued that Samourai Wallet functioned as a laundering tool, while supporters countered that it was a legitimate privacy product unfairly targeted by regulators.
The case took on fresh political significance in December when President Trump said he would consider pardoning Rodriguez. Speaking during an Oval Office event on Dec. 16, Trump said he had “heard about it” and instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to review the matter.
Rodriguez welcomed the remarks, claiming on social media that the prosecution represented “lawfare” and a weaponized Justice Department. The prospect of a pardon has renewed scrutiny of Fortified samourai bitcoin, as any legal reversal could complicate forfeiture outcomes.
Trump has previously issued crypto-related pardons, including for Ross Ulbricht and Changpeng Zhao, fueling speculation that Rodriguez could receive similar relief.
Analysts say the DOJ’s clear stance on Fortified samourai bitcoin has helped stabilize sentiment. “When governments move Bitcoin, the market reacts instantly,” said a digital asset strategist at a US investment firm. “Clear communication around Fortified samourai bitcoin prevents unnecessary panic.”
As governments worldwide grapple with how to manage seized digital assets, the US approach is increasingly viewed as a test case. For now, officials insist that Fortified samourai bitcoin will remain locked in reserve, reinforcing a policy shift toward treating Bitcoin not as contraband to be dumped, but as a strategic asset to be held for the long term.
