US Government Holds Approximately 28,988 BTC, Sparking Lawmaker Criticism

Recent revelations about the U.S. Marshal Service's Bitcoin holdings have reignited debates over the government's crypto assets and the need for an official audit.

BTC

Summary

On July 15, 2025, journalist Lola Leetz revealed that the U.S. Marshal Service holds 28,988 BTC, significantly lower than the previously estimated 207,189 BTC. This disclosure, obtained via a FOIA request, highlights the complexity of U.S. Bitcoin holdings, as other agencies like the IRS and FBI also manage Bitcoin assets. The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, established by an executive order in March 2025, prohibits the sale of U.S. Bitcoin, yet no official audit results have been published as of July 17, 2025. The U.S. government’s total Bitcoin holdings remain uncertain, with estimates ranging between 198,000 and 207,189 BTC, indicating a need for transparency in public reporting.

Terms & Concepts
  • FOIA: The Freedom of Information Act, a law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information controlled by the U.S. government.
  • BTC: Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency that enables peer-to-peer transactions over the blockchain.