The U.S. Marshals Service currently holds 28,988 Bitcoins, a sharp decline from earlier estimates of 200,000 BTC.
Other agencies like the FBI or DEA may hold additional Bitcoin not yet forfeited, with no official data released.
Senator Lummis and others have raised concerns that selling over 80% of U.S. Bitcoin may affect national crypto strategy.
A new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) disclosure has sparked intense discussion about the U.S. government’s current Bitcoin reserves. According to the report, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) now holds 28,988 Bitcoins, worth roughly $3.4 billion based on recent prices.
Confirmed by Bitcoin Magazine, this number marks a significant drop from earlier estimates of nearly 200,000 BTC, leading to public concern about whether the U.S. has liquidated over 85% of its holdings. The timing of this discovery has further fueled debate, as Bitcoin recently reached an all-time high of $123,000.
https://twitter.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/1945563816361599176 FOIA Report Details Current U.S. Marshals Holdings
Journalist L0la L33tz acquired the figure through an FOIA request submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service. The agency confirmed its custody of 28,988 Bitcoin as of the time of reporting. The USMS is responsible for managing forfeited assets, including digital currency seized during federal criminal investigations. These assets come under the agency’s supervision only after a legal forfeiture process is completed.
While the USMS provided figures on its holdings, the total Bitcoin held by other federal agencies remains unknown. L33tz clarified that seized assets can remain with agencies such as the FBI or DEA until formally forfeited. This means Bitcoin in U.S. government control could exceed 28,988 BTC, but official numbers from other agencies have not been released. As of now, no data confirms how much additional Bitcoin might be held elsewhere.
Senator Lummis Voices Concern Over Bitcoin Liquidation
Senator Cynthia Lummis responded to the post by Bitcoin Mafgazine by raising questions about past U.S. Bitcoin sales. She warned that offloading such a significant portion of holdings could impact the nation’s strategic position in the global digital asset space. According to her statement, the sale of more than 80% of U.S.-held Bitcoin may undermine the country’s long-term crypto interests.
https://twitter.com/SenLummis/status/1945578868665917535
Bitcoin’s price surge has renewed focus on its potential role in national financial strategies. Some countries, like Bulgaria, have seen their seized crypto grow to a value nearing their national debt. At current market prices, U.S. Bitcoin holdings—if retained—could have grown substantially. Instead, the FOIA report shows a sharp reduction from the previously estimated 200,000 BTC.
The situation arrives amid ongoing legislative developments. The GENIUS Act, supported by Donald Trump, seeks to advance digital asset use in government policy. If passed, the act could position the U.S. to adopt Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in new ways, potentially affecting national debt management strategies.
