Claims that the US could seize Venezuela-linked digital assets have reignited speculation that the country is secretly holding a large Bitcoin reserve.
In recent days, markets have been focused on allegations that Venezuela used crypto-based payment methods in oil sales to bypass US sanctions and converted part of the proceeds into Bitcoin. This scenario has raised the possibility that such assets, if targeted, could be frozen rather than liquidated, adding a new layer of uncertainty to market expectations.
These claims have fueled rumors that Venezuela may have accumulated billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin in secret. However, some industry voices strongly dispute this narrative. In a published analysis, a Venezuela-born sector figure argued that there is no credible on-chain data supporting the existence of such a reserve.
According to the analysis, the rumors rely on assumptions tied to past gold sales, oil revenues, and confiscated mining equipment. Yet widespread corruption, weak state institutions, and persistent energy outages make it highly unlikely that a government-scale Bitcoin stockpile could be built or hidden. As a result, while Bitcoin may exist within the country, it is more likely held by individuals rather than by the state itself.
