Here's How Much Bitcoin and Ethereum the US Government Owns: Data

Over the past decade, countries around the world have resorted to seizing cryptocurrencies. The United States government is leading the way, with a cryptocurrency holding of nearly $15.27 billion.

This significant stash includes 212,847k btc and 45,654k eth.

The US leads with holdings of $15.27 billion

Silk Road is perhaps the most infamous case in which the US government seized approximately 144,336 btc in 2013. Silk Road was an online black market known for facilitating the sale of drugs and other illegal products using bitcoin.

Another popular darknet marketplace called AlphaBay was attacked by US authorities in 2017. While the exact amount of cryptocurrencies seized is unknown, it was previously reported that the stash included bitcoin, ethereum, and Monero, among other tokens.

Three years later, the US Department of Justice seized approximately $3.6 million worth of bitcoin as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering and fraud involving cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex and its affiliated stablecoin issuer. , Tether.

Following closely behind the United States is the British government, which holds 61,245 thousand btc, valued at around $4.34 billion, according to the data compiled by Arkham Intelligence.

Meanwhile, the German government currently holds 49,859k btc, worth approximately $3.53 billion.

In particular, the Salvadoran government has become an active participant, with holdings of 5,718 thousand btc, valued at approximately $405 million, largely attributed to proactive purchases.

Cryptocurrency seizure

Most of the crypto assets from these countries come from confiscation for various reasons. This includes criminal investigations during which cryptocurrencies are used in illicit activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist financing and cybercrime. Law enforcement agencies seize crypto assets as part of investigations to disrupt criminal operations and hold perpetrators accountable.

Governments can confiscate cryptocurrencies from people or companies suspected of evading taxes by failing to report cryptocurrency-related income or transactions. Seizures serve as a means to enforce tax compliance and ensure that taxpayers meet their obligations.

Additionally, cryptocurrency exchanges and other platforms may be subject to regulations related to anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements. Seizures can occur when entities fail to comply with these regulations or engage in fraudulent activities.

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