Did the US Just Break Its Bitcoin Reserve Rule? $6.3 Million BTC Sale Sparks Debate

Another day, another government crypto move that raises more questions than it answers.

The $6.3 Million Question

Forget subtle policy shifts—this was a direct market transaction. The move cuts straight through the usual bureaucratic fog, putting hard numbers on the blockchain for everyone to see. It bypasses the typical whispers and analyst reports, offering a raw, unfiltered look at state-level asset management. Or mismanagement, depending on who you ask.

Rules Are Suggestions, Apparently

The whole point of a reserve rule is to create stability, a predictable framework. So what happens when the entity setting the rule appears to sidestep it? It sends a signal—one that traders and institutions decode faster than any press release. It undermines the very credibility the rule was meant to build, turning a guideline into a guessing game.

Market Mechanics vs. Political Mechanics

In the crypto markets, a $6.3 million sale is a rounding error—a blip. In the world of regulatory precedent and political perception, it's a lightning rod. The action itself might be small, but the precedent it sets is colossal. It highlights the eternal clash between the immutable logic of code and the ever-flexible 'logic' of governance.

A classic case of 'do as I say, not as I do'—the oldest rule in the finance playbook, now running on a blockchain.

So, did they break the rule? Technically, maybe. In spirit, almost certainly. It proves that when it comes to government and crypto, the only consistent policy is inconsistency. Trust the math, not the mandate.

A new controversy is growing around the U.S. government’s handling of Bitcoin, raising serious questions about whether federal agencies are ignoring clear instructions from the White House on building a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

According to a recent report by bitcoin Magazine, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) may have sold Bitcoin forfeited by the developers of Samourai Wallet, even though an executive order says such bitcoin should be held, not sold.

What Happened in the Samourai Case

Samourai Wallet developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill agreed to forfeit Bitcoin worth about $6.3 million as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). At the time of the agreement in November 2025, this amounted to roughly 57.55 BTC.

Documents show that this Bitcoin was transferred shortly after the agreement was signed. Instead of being held in government custody, blockchain data suggests the funds were sent directly to a Coinbase Prime address, which is commonly used for institutional trading.

That address now shows a zero balance, leading to concerns that the bitcoin has already been sold.

Why the Bitcoin Reserve Matters

This MOVE is drawing attention because of Executive Order 14233, which clearly states that Bitcoin acquired through criminal or civil forfeiture should be kept as part of the United States’ Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

The order specifically says that “Government BTC shall not be sold” and should instead be preserved as a long-term strategic asset. The idea is to treat bitcoin more like Gold reserves rather than something to be quickly converted into cash.

If the reports are accurate, selling this Bitcoin WOULD directly go against that order.

Lawmakers Raise Red Flags

Senator Cynthia Lummis publicly criticized the situation, asking why the government is still liquidating bitcoin when the president has explicitly directed agencies to preserve it.

She warned that the U.S. cannot afford to waste strategic bitcoin assets while other countries are actively accumulating BTC. Her comments reflect growing concern in Washington that mixed signals from different agencies are weakening U.S. crypto strategy.

At a time when global competition over digital assets is increasing, critics say ignoring such directives could put the U.S. at a disadvantage and weaken trust in its crypto policy direction.

For now, the situation has left the crypto community watching closely, asking a simple but serious question: if the U.S. wants a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, why is it still selling bitcoin?