Seized Bitcoin in the Samourai Wallet case will not be sold: official DOJ confirmation

Source: Criptonoticias Original Title: Bitcoin incautado por el caso Samourai wallet no ha sido ni será vendido Original Link:

Official Confirmation: Seized Bitcoin Will Not Be Liquidated

The decision is based on Executive Order 14233, which prioritizes holding Bitcoin as a reserve. This measure alleviates concerns about potential sales that could increase volatility.

In a context where rumors about the imminent sale of the seized bitcoins from the Samourai Wallet case were circulating, the United States government has clarified its position, affirming the retention of these assets rather than liquidating them.

This decision represents a significant shift from historical practices, where seized digital assets were often sold quickly to convert them into fiat currency.

Official statement from the DOJ

The announcement comes from the Department of Justice (DOJ), which confirmed that the bitcoins have not been sold and will not be sold, in accordance with Executive Order 14233. This order, issued to guide the handling of digital assets, states that such seizures should be integrated into the government’s balance sheet as part of the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve (SBR).

Patrick Witt, CEO of the Presidential Advisory Council for Digital Assets and Deputy Director of the Department of Defense’s Strategic Capital Office, shared this update confirming an official communication from the DOJ.

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. They will remain on the USG balance sheet as part of the SBR.

— Patrick Witt (@patrickjwitt)

The Samourai Wallet Case and Privacy

The Samourai Wallet case involves the developers of this privacy wallet for Bitcoin, who pleaded guilty in a federal investigation.

Developers Keonne Rodríguez and William Lonergan Hill face charges from the Department of Justice for operating an unlicensed money transmission service and facilitating money laundering. According to the Southern District of New York prosecutors, the wallet incorporated mixing tools like Whirlpool and Ricochet, designed to obscure the origin of Bitcoin transactions.

The bitcoins seized in the case amount to approximately 57-58 BTC, with an estimated value of around $6.4 million.

Implications for the Market

Historically, similar seizures — such as in the Silk Road cases — resulted in public auctions or sales that injected additional supply into the market, potentially depressing prices. However, the current administration adopts a more strategic view, treating Bitcoin as a national reserve asset rather than a mere seizure.

This policy could have positive implications for the cryptocurrency ecosystem. By avoiding mass sales, the risk of government selling pressure is reduced, which in the past has contributed to price volatility.

This confirmation not only dispels recent rumors about imminent sales but also signals an evolution in cryptocurrency regulation. While the DOJ maintains its focus on combating illicit activities, the retention of these bitcoins — valued in the millions — underscores a balance between law enforcement and strategic adoption of Bitcoin technology.

With the market constantly evolving, decisions like this could influence investor and regulator confidence worldwide.