U.S. Confirms No Liquidation of Seized Samourai Bitcoin

Key Points:

  • Patrick Witt confirmed DOJ won’t liquidate Samourai Bitcoin.
  • Assets remain in U.S.’s strategic Bitcoin reserve.
  • Assures Bitcoin market liquidity and policy consistency.

U.S. Department of Justice confirms 57.55 Bitcoin seized from Samourai Wallet developers remains unsold, adhering to Executive Order 14233 as part of the government’s strategic reserve.

This decision ensures market stability by preserving liquidity and aligns with policy to retain forfeited Bitcoin as a strategic asset, reassuring investors of consistency.

Bitcoin Strategy: DOJ Retains Samourai Assets

The Department of Justice confirmed that 57.55 BTC, forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers, will remain part of the U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve. Patrick Witt announced via social media, refuting previous reports of asset liquidation. This clarification strengthens U.S. regulatory practices regarding seized digital currencies.

Maintaining these assets as a reserve allows the government to avoid potential negative impacts on Bitcoin market prices. By eschewing liquidation, federal policy maintains consistency and demonstrates a shift from past practices of auctioning seized crypto assets through the U.S. Marshals Service.

“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.” – Patrick Witt, Executive Director, President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets

Market responses have been positive, reflecting relief within the cryptocurrency community. No official comments were made by William Lonergan Hill or Keonne Rodriguez. Patrick Witt’s confirmation assures stakeholders of the U.S. government’s commitment to policy continuity and digital asset management integrity.

Bitcoin Market: Impact of U.S. Policy Shift

Did you know? Prior to Executive Order 14233, seized Bitcoin was sold by U.S. Marshalls, impacting market trends and on-chain analytics, reflecting a pivot in governmental strategy.

According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin (BTC) holds a market cap of $1.90 trillion with a current price of $95,286.33. Despite a 0.04% decrease over 24 hours, BTC shows a 9.81% increase over 30 days. Circulating supply stands at 19,976,809 against a maximum limit of 21 million.

bitcoin-daily-chart-5683

Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 04:07 UTC on January 17, 2026. Source: CoinMarketCap

The Coincu research team highlights potential technological and regulatory changes ahead, suggesting Bitcoin’s reserving trend might shape broader asset management strategies. Historical trends indicate evolving public policies may affect future crypto availability and investor confidence.

Source: https://coincu.com/news/us-confirms-samourai-bitcoin-reserve/