The US Marshals Service (USMS) says it did not sell 57.5 Bitcoin that crypto media and on-chain sleuths had recently flagged as liquidated, pushing back on a narrative that the government may be offloading coins despite the Strategic BTC Reserve directive by US President Donald Trump.
The dispute surfaced after Bitcoin Magazine cited court paperwork that appeared to authorize liquidation of BTC tied to the Samourai Wallet case, and as blockchain movements showed the coins landing at Coinbase Prime, activity that traders often treat as a sale signal, even if it is not definitive on its own.
Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis, one of Washington’s most vocal Bitcoin proponents, seized on the reporting to question why the government would be selling at all. “We can’t afford to squander these strategic assets while other nations are accumulating Bitcoin. I’m deeply concerned about this report,” she wrote on X, referencing the purported Samourai-linked sale.
https://twitter.com/SenLummis/status/2008356529141956965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank
At the center of the controversy is Executive Order 14233, which requires BTC obtained via criminal or civil forfeiture to be preserved as part of a US Strategic BTC Reserve. The reporting suggested the alleged sale clashed with that mandate.
After DL News published its story, however, USMS directly denied that any such sale occurred, also criticizing the reporting process: [The USMS] has not sold the Bitcoin mentioned and it has no idea how Bitcoin Magazine would get that information. But they did not fact check nor contact us for information.”
Furthermore, the US Marshals told DL News that “USMS cryptocurrency liquidations go through a multi-level approval process to ensure only forfeited digital assets that meet the requirements of Section D of Executive Order 14233 are disposed.”
What sparked the confusion in the first place was a document described as an “Asset Liquidation Agreement” and an associated dollar figure—$6,367,139.69—tied to 57.5 BTC that were transferred on Nov. 3, 2025, in connection with the Samourai matter. Separately, on-chain tracking showed the same 57.5 BTC deposited to Coinbase Prime, a pattern that can be consistent with liquidation but “could not prove” a sale by itself.
In the Samourai case, federal authorities arrested developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill in 2024, alleging the service operated as an unlicensed money transmitting business used by criminals. The report at issue centered on BTC that the developers paid to the Department of Justice as part of a guilty plea.
At press time, BTC traded at $89,915.
Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com
Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
As the ETF industry matures, issuers are increasingly moving away from broad-brush products in favor…
The United Nations secretary-general says the Lebanese people have been “dragged into” war, and has called…
Police have identified the woman found dead inside a north Toronto home as 60-year-old Xian…
Thunderstruck slot oyununun keyfini dilediğiniz yerden ve dilediğiniz zaman çıkarmanıza yardımcı olacak bir mobil sürümü…
By n The Associated Pressn The Associated Press Posted March 14, 2026 8:51 am 1…
I have both a watch list and a wish list. My watch list is the…