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Reports claiming that the U.S. sold Samourai Wallet Bitcoin sparked confusion in the crypto community.
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Executive Order 14234 requires that forfeited Bitcoin be held and not liquidated by agencies.
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U.S. Officials confirmed that the Samourai Wallet Bitcoin remains on the government balance sheet.
In the first week of the year 2026, confusion spread after online reports claimed that the U.S. Government had sold bitcoin in connection with the Samourai Wallet Case. These claims sparked debate, as a recent executive directive restricted what agencies could do with forfeited Bitcoin. Officials now claim that these reports were inaccurate.
What sparked the confusion?
The discussion began when it was reported that U.S. officials had sold itcoin forfeited to Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez, and William Lonergan Hill in exchange for a plea deal. The amount involved is estimated to be around $6.3million.
If true, this sale would have been in conflict with Executive Order 14233 which requires forfeited Bitcoins to be held by government instead of liquidated.
Why Executive Order 14233 is Important
Executive Order 14233 changes the way the U.S. Government treats Bitcoin seized in criminal or civil forfeiture. The order:
- Forfeited Bitcoins are classified as “Government BTC”.
- These assets cannot be sold
- The U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve will hold them.
This marked a departure from the long-standing tradition of auctioning digital assets seized by law enforcement.
Do Bitcoins Actually Sell?
Officials say no. Patrick Witt, Executive director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets said that the matter was under review after the claims gained traction. He confirmed later that the U.S. Department of Justice verified the Bitcoin forfeited to the Samourai Wallet Case was not liquidated or sold.
Related: Utah Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for $2.9M Crypto Fraud
Bitcoin: Where it is Now
Officials claim that the assets will remain on the U.S. Government’s balance sheet, and be retained within the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve framework. This includes forfeited Bitcoins under federal laws relating to unlicensed money-transmission businesses.
Legal sources state that the forfeiture laws used in this case define the bitcoin as “Government BTC” according to the executive order.
Clarifications like this show federal agencies aligning themselves more closely with the Administration’s digital assets policy. The clarification also highlights a wider shift in the way bitcoin is viewed by federal agencies, not as a currency to be quickly sold, but one to be strategically held.
Related: South Korea’s new rules could cut traders off from Binance and OKX crypto apps
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