Revealed through a Freedom of Information Act request, the U.S. Marshals Service currently holds significantly fewer Bitcoins than previously assumed.
As of recent disclosures, the agency’s Bitcoin reserves now stand at just 28,988 BTC. This figure is a stark departure from previous wide-ranging estimates that suggested holdings nearing 200,000 BTC.
The reduction is attributed to the government’s execution of planned public auctions and liquidation processes involving seized Bitcoin. Assets originating from high-profile cases, such as the Silk Road investigation, were sold off over time.
Through these disposals, the U.S. government has converted seized digital assets into liquid capital. To date, the total amount generated from selling forfeited Bitcoin is approximately $3.4 billion.
This substantial drawdown signals a deliberate shift in the government’s strategy for managing confiscated cryptocurrencies away from long-term holdings.
The disclosure highlights both the reduction accomplished and introduces questions about transparency surrounding the full history and timing of government Bitcoin forfeitures prior to this public accounting.