U.S. government moves $1 billion in bitcoin from Bitfinex hack wallet, no sale indicated
CoinDesk 2026-10-08 15:43:04
Context: The U.S. government has transferred $1.01 billion worth of bitcoin, seized from the 2016 Bitfinex hack, to new, unlabeled addresses. The move, detected by blockchain intelligence firm Arkham, involved 12,267 BTC and appears to be a wallet reshuffling rather than a sale. This action follows a March 2025 executive order directing forfeited bitcoin into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
Key Facts
- The U.S. government transferred 12,267 BTC, worth approximately $1.01 billion, from a Bitfinex hack seizure wallet to new, unlabeled addresses.
- The transferred coins were seized in the 2016 Bitfinex hack and were moved to two new addresses, with no exchange deposit recorded.
- The U.S. government still holds about $25.5 billion worth of crypto, according to Arkham's data.
- A March 2025 executive order directed that forfeited bitcoin be placed into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and not be sold.