The US Is A Bitcoin Whale—Arkham Clarifies BTC Holdings After Brief Panic

The US government holds over 198,000 Bitcoin, worth approximately $23.4 billion, across various agencies. A recent public spreadsheet showed the Marshals Service holding 28,988 BTC, but other agencies, such as the FBI, IRS, DEA, and Justice Department, also hold seized Bitcoin. Arkham Intelligence gathered on-chain data and linked addresses tied to each agency, revealing the total amount of Bitcoin held by the government. The majority of the Bitcoin comes from high-profile cases, including the 2016 Bitfinex hack and Silk Road-related seizures. The government has sold some of the seized Bitcoin, but the main piles from these cases remain untouched. The lack of transparency and public ledger has led to rumors and speculation among traders, causing price fluctuations. Knowing the actual amount of Bitcoin held by the government could calm the market. A master dashboard with real-time updates could help reduce drama during auctions. The government's Bitcoin holdings are spread across multiple agencies, with the majority remaining stationary for the past four months. The US government is essentially a massive Bitcoin "whale" that still owns a significant amount of the cryptocurrency.