Crypto Surge: US Agencies Unveil Emotional Digital Treasures

Federal agencies in the United States are now preparing to disclose their cryptocurrency holdings to the U.S. Department of the Treasury following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on March 6, 2025. Sources familiar with the matter, including a report by journalist Eleanor Terrett via Fox Business, revealed that the reports are expected to be submitted by Monday.

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However, while these disclosures are required under the executive order, there is no current obligation for the findings to be made available to the public. This decision has already ignited concerns within the crypto community, where calls for greater transparency are growing louder.

The executive order not only mandates a full audit of federal digital assets but also lays the groundwork for the creation of two new government-run crypto structures: the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile.

Trump’s Executive Order and the Push for Crypto Accountability

The March 6 executive order marks the most sweeping directive for crypto accountability within federal agencies to date. Under the leadership of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, all agencies holding crypto must submit comprehensive audits of their portfolios. According to senior officials, the aim is to centralize digital asset strategy, improve crypto custody, and establish long-term planning regarding seized and owned crypto holdings.

While some reports, including those from the White House, suggest that the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve will serve as a long-term national digital reserve akin to gold, the Digital Asset Stockpile will have more flexibility. Non-Bitcoin assets like Ethereum (ETH), Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), Binance Coin (BNB), and potentially others will be held, managed, or even liquidated depending on prevailing policy goals.

David Sacks, the recently appointed AI and Crypto Czar, explained during a podcast appearance that the reserve’s holdings would primarily consist of crypto seized through criminal and civil forfeiture cases. He emphasized that the U.S. government previously held roughly 400,000 BTC, but sold nearly half for only $366 million. At today’s prices, those coins would now be worth over $17 billion.

What’s in the Government’s Wallet? The Numbers So Far

While an official full audit has yet to be released, blockchain intelligence firm Arkham Intelligence reported on April 7 that the U.S. government currently holds approximately 198,000 BTC, valued at over $15 billion. Additional assets, including ETH, WBTC, and BNB, make up an estimated $380 million, raising the total to over $15.38 billion in publicly known digital assets.

This data aligns with historical reports of government auctions, seizures, and recent DOJ operations. It also hints at the scale of digital reserves the government could manage moving forward either as national assets or operational liquidity tools.

Transparency or Secrecy? Community Divided on Disclosure

The executive order has triggered a split reaction from the crypto community. While many applaud the move toward structured digital asset management, others are criticizing the lack of public disclosure. The fact that the reports might only be only meant for Treasury and not for public review has led to allegations of opacity and potential mismanagement.

Eleanor Terrett, who first reported the internal deadlines, wrote:

“Unclear as of now if and when the findings could be made public.”

On X (formerly Twitter), several community members voiced frustration. One user commented, “If the government works for the people, then the people should know what crypto it owns.” Another described the lack of clarity as “shady” and called for greater accountability.

Recent DOJ Seizures Add to Growing Crypto Stockpile

While government-held BTC makes headlines, the pipeline for these assets is still active. Just last month, the Department of Justice seized more than $200,000 in digital assets linked to Hamas, as part of a broader terrorism financing investigation. According to prosecutors, more than $1.5 million moved through wallets and exchanges since October 2024.

In another case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Ohio announced on March 3 its intention to forfeit $8.2 million in USDT connected to a fraudulent crypto investment scheme. Unlike other seizures, these funds are scheduled for restitution to scam victims, demonstrating the government’s use of crypto assets beyond strategic holding.

Expert Insight: Analysts Weigh In on Strategic Implications

The crypto industry is watching the U.S. government’s latest move with careful consideration. Analysts believe the decision to mandate federal agencies to report their crypto holdings signals a deeper shift toward institutionalizing digital asset management. Rather than treating cryptocurrency purely as seized property to be liquidated, the creation of structures like the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve indicates a longer-term strategic outlook.

The policy may also affect market dynamics. By reducing the frequency of large-scale BTC auctions and instead positioning these assets as sovereign holdings, the government could help stabilize supply shocks that previously triggered price volatility. Analysts also suggest that centralizing custody within a federal framework may pave the way for clearer regulatory oversight and new financial infrastructure tailored to state-controlled crypto assets.

Furthermore, the inclusion of non-Bitcoin assets in the Digital Asset Stockpile suggests a broader recognition of the evolving role of altcoins. Ethereum, BNB, and others could become more integrated into public finance mechanisms, though how they will be used remains uncertain. Market participants will likely monitor these developments closely for signals about how governments intend to interact with decentralized finance going forward.

Conclusion

The U.S. government’s move to centralize and audit its crypto holdings has far-reaching implications. While it reflects an evolving approach toward strategic digital asset management, the lack of public transparency raises questions about accountability and intent. With reports due imminently and more executive infrastructure to be developed, this is likely just the beginning of a new era of crypto regulation and sovereign digital asset policy in the United States.

For the crypto community, institutional investors, and policymakers alike, these moves will serve as both a test case and a signal: digital assets are no longer niche, they’re national.