A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) disclosure revealed the U.S. Marshals Service holds approximately 28,988 Bitcoin, valued at roughly $3.4 billion.
The figure contrasts sharply with previous widely cited estimates suggesting the federal government controlled nearly 200,000 Bitcoin seized through various law enforcement actions.
This significant discrepancy raises immediate questions about the accounting and management of federal cryptocurrency assets. The FOIA request highlighted potential gaps in government asset tracking systems.
Experts suggest some government-seized Bitcoin may be held under agreements with private sector custodians, such as Coinbase and Anchorage Digital, potentially explaining why the USMS inventory appears lower than expected. Concerns have also been raised regarding the integrity of internal asset tracking methods, including reported instances of custody records being maintained in basic Excel spreadsheets.
The perceived shortfall in one agency’s holdings undermines the nation’s strategic position in terms of accumulated cryptocurrency reserves. The disclosure has prompted calls for greater transparency and the development of a more coordinated federal strategy for managing and tracking seized crypto assets.