Newly released information shows that the U.S. government's Bitcoin holdings amount to roughly 29,000 BTC, significantly lower than previously estimated, sparking fresh debate on national crypto strategies.
The U.S. Marshals Service revealed in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by crypto journalist L0la L33tz that it currently holds approximately 28,988 Bitcoins. Previously, it had been widely speculated that the U.S. government held over 198,000 BTC, but the actual amount has proven considerably lower. This revelation has raised significant questions about the government's management of digital assets.
The reduced Bitcoin reserves also reignited discussions about the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a concept proposed during former President Donald Trump's administration. Trump's crypto advisor, David Sacks, had earlier announced plans to strategically increase BTC holdings through budget-friendly measures, but recent developments suggest these plans were never realized. Senator Cynthia Lummis criticized the significant reduction in reserves, labeling it a strategic error.
With the U.S.' Bitcoin holdings falling far short of prior expectations, experts express concern that the nation risks falling behind in the global digital assets race. Analysts emphasize that as governments increasingly embrace crypto as a strategic asset, U.S. passivity in this area could pose long-term economic and strategic risks.
