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Arkham Intelligence Confirms Robust U.S. Bitcoin Holdings
Leading blockchain analytics provider Arkham Intelligence has officially confirmed that the U.S. government still possesses an impressive 198,000 Bitcoin, valued at nearly $24 billion as of the latest market data. This announcement comes as a direct response to circulating reports that claimed the authorities had offloaded approximately 85% of their cryptocurrency reserves—a misconception that has now been thoroughly debunked.
Examining the Origin of the Bitcoin Sell-Off Rumor
The widespread speculation about a major sell-off was sparked by a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) disclosure. The request revealed that the U.S. Marshals Service controls only about 29,000 BTC, causing some in the crypto community to assume that most government-held Bitcoin had been liquidated. However, Arkham Intelligence clarified that these figures do not reflect the full picture. Significant Bitcoin holdings are actually distributed across various federal agencies, such as the FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and U.S. Attorney’s Offices. This clarification was addressed directly in response to a comment from Senator Cynthia Lummis on X (formerly Twitter).
Putting U.S. Government Bitcoin Holdings in Global Context
In terms of governmental Bitcoin reserves, America stands far ahead, with its holdings dwarfing those of the United Kingdom, which owns an estimated $7 billion worth of Bitcoin, and Bhutan, which controls approximately $1.3 billion. Despite the size of these digital assets, the $24 billion value represents only around 0.065% of the enormous $37 trillion U.S. national debt—a small fraction, yet symbolically significant for institutional cryptocurrency adoption.
Addressing Market Fears and Future Implications for Crypto
The recently debunked rumor has reignited concerns over potential market disruptions that could occur if U.S. authorities ever decide to liquidate their substantial Bitcoin holdings to address fiscal challenges. For now, Arkham’s findings provide reassurance to crypto investors and reinforce the narrative of growing governmental involvement in the blockchain ecosystem.
Source: crypto
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