After a spree of enforcement actions against criminal activity, the US stacked an impressive amount of Bitcoin over ten years. Crypto Czar David Sacks argues that selling the confiscated Bitcoins for a pittance has cost US taxpayers a fortune ahead of the planned Crypto Strategic Reserve.
America Could Have Gained $17 Billion From Hodling Its Seized BTC, Says Crypto Czar
Crypto Czar David Sacks has criticized previous administrations of the US government for selling off seized Bitcoins. According to Sacks, the value of the disposed assets is now worth a large fortune that could benefit US taxpayers.
In a post on X, Sacks disclosed that the US sold nearly 195,000 BTC over ten years for only $366 million. He argues if the federal government did not sell the Bitcoins, the assets would have been worth over $17 billion as Bitcoin eyes $100,000.
“If the government had held the bitcoin, it would be worth over $17 billion today,” said Sacks. “That’s how much it has cost American taxpayers not to have a long-term strategy.”
The US government’s BTC holdings came from busting criminal activities on the deep web with the Silk Road seizures topping the list. At the time, US authorities confiscated nearly 170,000 in a single bust from Silk Road founder Ross Ulbritch in 2013.
In 2020, authorities seized an additional 69,370 BTC and an additional 50,000 BTC associated with the Silk Road project.
US Authorities Sold Confiscated Bitcoins In Droves
The U.S. Marshalls Service (USMS) holds the confiscated BTC and organizes auctions for the sale of the assets. The Department of Justice (DoJ) has approved several BTC auctions drawing criticisms from several quarters over the handling of sales.
The last sale occurred barely 10 days before new President Donald Trump assumed office amid whispers of a national Bitcoin Strategic Reserve for the US. President Trump has announced a Crypto Strategic Reserve tapping Bitcoin and a slew of altcoins to bolster holdings.
“This isn’t just mismanagement. It’s theft from American taxpayers,” said Jane Adams on X. Imagine what could’ve been done with that wealth if only they had a clue about long-term strategy.”
As the government inches toward a Bitcoin reserve, the sale of confiscated Bitcoins will be a rarity in the US. Furthermore, the US may earmark a portion of its budget to scoop Bitcoins following high-level discussions in Friday’s White House Crypto Summit.
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