Key Takeaways
- U.S. agencies must disclose Bitcoin and digital asset holdings by April 5.
- A Strategic Bitcoin Reserve will store seized BTC under a new no-sell policy.
- The government currently holds around 198,000 BTC worth $16B.
U.S. federal agencies will publicly disclose their Bitcoin and digital asset holdings on April 5, following a March 6 executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The directive requires all agencies to report their digital asset reserves to the Treasury Secretary within 30 days.
Establishment of Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
The audit aims to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile, positioning Bitcoin alongside gold as a long-term national asset.
A key policy change includes a no-sell mandate for Bitcoin held in the Strategic Reserve—meaning Bitcoin obtained through civil or criminal forfeitures will now be stored, not auctioned.
Insights from industry leaders
David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc.:
Depending on what we learn, [this audit] might answer many of the open questions about the recent price action.
Current holdings and historical context
The U.S. government currently holds an estimated 198,000 BTC, worth roughly $16 billion, though it has seized a total of 400,000 BTC over the past decade.
Had those been retained, their value today would exceed $34 billion.
Potential for altcoin holdings
The upcoming disclosure may also confirm whether the U.S. holds altcoins, stablecoins, or memecoins.
Future policy considerations
In addition to the audit, policymakers are exploring Bitcoin-backed Treasury bonds (“₿ Bonds”) and a proposed BITCOIN Act that would mandate the purchase of up to 1 million BTC over five years and prohibit future sales.
