US Government Bitcoin Holdings Fall to 328,372 BTC Following Custody Transfers
United States government holdings of Bitcoin (BTC) dropped by roughly 1,635 BTC in 2026, leaving an estimated 328,372 BTC in federal hands as of early October. Depending on how individual wallet trackers identify federal addresses, overall balance estimates span from 319,000 BTC to 328,000 BTC. With prices around $82,000 to $83,000 per coin, the reserve is worth between $26 billion and $28 billion, down from a peak near $40.7 billion in late October 2025.
Federal wallets transferred approximately 17,733 BTC to Coinbase Prime in early October 2026. The move reflects custody reorganization rather than open-market dumping, with no sales confirmed. The government's entire stockpile stems from law enforcement seizures, including roughly 94,643 BTC from the 2016 Bitfinex hack and 127,271 BTC from Silk Road forfeitures.
Executive Order 14233, signed in March 2025, established the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and banned the sale of seized crypto assets. Consequently, large wallet movements represent internal custody shifts rather than imminent market supply overhang. Key factors to watch next include potential follow-up transfers, official clarification on minor balance changes, and price fluctuations affecting the reserve's value.
Key points
- The US government holds an estimated 328,372 Bitcoin (BTC), down approximately 1,635 BTC in 2026.
- Wallets connected to federal agencies moved around 17,733 BTC to Coinbase Prime in early October 2026 for custody reorganization.
- Executive Order 14233 banned sales of seized Bitcoin assets, creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in March 2025.
- At prices between $82,000 and $83,000, the total reserve value sits between $26 billion and $28 billion.
- All government holdings stem from law enforcement seizures, including Bitfinex hack recoveries and Silk Road forfeitures.
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How much Bitcoin does the US government hold in 2026?
As of early October 2026, the US government holds an estimated 328,372 Bitcoin, valued between $26 billion and $28 billion based on prices around $82,000 to $83,000 per coin.
Is the US government selling its seized Bitcoin?
No sales have been confirmed. Executive Order 14233 prohibited sales of seized digital assets in March 2025, and recent transfers to Coinbase Prime reflect internal custody reorganization.
Where did the US government get its Bitcoin stockpile?
The entire federal Bitcoin position comes from law enforcement seizures and forfeitures, mainly consisting of roughly 94,643 BTC from the 2016 Bitfinex hack and about 127,271 BTC from Silk Road recoveries.