On January 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that approximately 57.55 BTC seized from Samourai Wallet founders will not be sold as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This confirmation has eased market concerns regarding potential sales, reinforcing Bitcoin's role as a strategic reserve and impacting U.S. crypto regulatory and financial policies.
Confirmed Bitcoin Status
The U.S. Department of Justice recently confirmed that 57.55 BTC, forfeited by the founders of Samourai Wallet, remains unsold as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This addresses concerns regarding potential sales to entities like Coinbase Prime.
Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, founders of Samourai Wallet, were involved in illicit transactions. The U.S. Marshals Service denied selling any Bitcoin due to the specific requirements of Executive Order 14233.
Patrick Witt, Executive Director, President's Council of Advisors for Digital Assets, confirmed, "UPDATE: we have received confirmation from DOJ that the digital assets forfeited by Samourai Wallet have not been liquidated and will not be liquidated, per EO 14233."
Market Implications
The confirmation eased fears of market sell-offs, which had been previously triggered by government auctions of seized assets. The market responded positively to this official clarification, leading to stabilization.
The implications for financial and strategic reserves include the retention of Bitcoin as a national asset. This move aligns with broader governmental strategies to bolster digital asset reserves.
Policy and Market Dynamics
Enhanced regulatory clarity supports increased confidence in Bitcoin's place within the U.S. asset landscape. The decision not to sell reinforces policy consistency and predictability.
Executive Order 14233 restricts the sale of forfeited Bitcoin, and this policy adherence could potentially affect market dynamics by preserving liquidity. Such policy shifts signal a governmental inclination towards strategically holding digital assets.