U.S. Confirms Samourai Wallet Bitcoin Retained in Strategic Reserve as Belarus Formalizes Crypto Banking Framework

U.S. Denies Liquidation of Seized Bitcoin

The United States government has confirmed that bitcoin assets forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers have not been sold and will be retained as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), according to a statement issued in January ^[1].

Patrick Witt, Executive Director of the President's Council of Advisors for Digital Assets and Deputy Director at the Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital, announced on January 16 that the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the digital assets "have not been liquidated and will not be liquidated" ^[1]. The bitcoin will remain on the U.S. government's balance sheet as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Witt stated ^[1].

The clarification addressed earlier reports suggesting that the U.S. Marshals Service, operating under DOJ direction, had sold approximately 57.55 bitcoin—valued at roughly $6.3 million at the time—through Coinbase Prime in November 2025 ^[1]. The speculation was based on an "Asset Liquidation Agreement" and on-chain data indicating the forfeited bitcoin may have been transferred to a Coinbase Prime address that subsequently showed a zero balance ^[1].

Executive Order Protects Seized Bitcoin

Such a sale would have potentially violated Executive Order 14233, which explicitly mandates that bitcoin acquired by the U.S. government through criminal or civil forfeiture "shall not be sold" and must instead be retained as part of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve ^[1]. The executive order was designed to reverse the long-standing practice of liquidating seized bitcoin and to formally recognize bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset ^[1].

The Samourai Wallet case has attracted significant attention within Bitcoin and crypto policy circles, particularly concerning the prosecution of developers of noncustodial software ^[1]. Samourai developers Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill pleaded guilty and were charged in 2025 with conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, a charge critics argue conflicts with the noncustodial nature of the software ^[1].

Belarus Establishes Crypto Banking Framework

Meanwhile, Belarus has created a legal framework for crypto banks and formally integrated digital token services into its state-controlled financial system through a presidential decree issued by Alexander Lukashenko ^[2].

The decree defines crypto banks as joint-stock companies authorized to combine traditional banking, payment, and settlement services with token-based transactions ^[2]. Market access requires registration with the state Hi-Tech Park and entry into a register maintained by the National Bank of Belarus, which will share supervisory authority over crypto banks ^[2].

The move comes against the backdrop of ongoing international sanctions against Belarus, which have restricted the country's access to Western financial markets and payment systems for several years ^[2]. Belarus is considered one of Russia's closest allies ^[2].

Lukashenko had already publicly emphasized the importance of digital tokens and blockchain technology in September 2025, calling on banks to increase their engagement in the sector ^[2]. According to the decree, token-based financial services must be conducted exclusively through approved and monitored institutions, while unregulated crypto activities remain prohibited ^[2].

Beyond strengthening its national banking sector, Belarus also demonstrated ambitions in crypto mining last year ^[2].