Key Takeaways
President Trump is considering stopping the sale of confiscated crypto assets and creating a digital asset stockpile.
The proposed US reserve would include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Solana, and Cardano.
President Donald Trump is evaluating a policy change that would prevent the government from selling confiscated Bitcoin and crypto assets from criminal cases, and instead create a national digital asset stockpile, Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
This evaluation comes as the White House seeks to advance discussions on the initiative at its Crypto Summit on Friday.
President Trump has proposed establishing a US crypto reserve, with Bitcoin, Ether, and other valuable crypto assets “at the heart” of it. However, the proposal faces significant hurdles, including the requirement for congressional approval amid political and taxpayer concerns.
The administration may explore alternative approaches, including building a stockpile solely from seized crypto assets without making market purchases.
In today’s public statement, David Sacks, the White House AI and crypto czar, stated that the US government could have made an additional $17 billion if it had retained the 195,000 Bitcoin it sold over the past decade.
Over the past decade, the federal government sold approximately 195,000 Bitcoin for proceeds of $366 million. If the government had held the Bitcoin, it would be worth over $17 billion today. That’s how much it has cost American taxpayers not to have a long-term strategy.
— David Sacks (@davidsacks47) March 6, 2025
According to Sacks, the government’s short-term sale strategy has significantly cost American taxpayers, as the assets were sold for $366 million but would be worth over $17 billion today.
Currently, the U.S. government holds various crypto assets obtained through seizures, with Bitcoin comprising a major portion. The proposed stockpile, if facilitated with seized crypto assets, would effectively create a reserve heavily weighted toward Bitcoin.
A proposal concerning the tax treatment of crypto assets, requiring Congressional review and approval, is also being discussed. Sources indicate that these measures are still in the exploratory phase and may be revised or abandoned.
The White House Crypto Summit is set to take place in less than 48 hours. A select few industry leaders, like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Michael Saylor, will join government officials to discuss funding and legislative aspects of the reserve.
According to Saylor, Bitcoin is the only neutral asset for a US crypto reserve. Bitcoin’s decentralized nature uniquely qualifies it as a foundational asset for the crypto economy.
In a Wednesday interview, Strategy’s co-founder asserted that Bitcoin’s universal adoption could ensure economic stability and financial sovereignty for the nation.
Saylor indirectly dismissed the idea of including other tokens like XRP in the reserves, distinguishing Bitcoin as the primary asset for long-term strategic reserves.