In a move set to increase government oversight of digital assets, U.S. federal agencies are preparing to report their cryptocurrency holdings to the Treasury Department, following a presidential executive order signed by President Donald Trump on March 6.
According to Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett, sources inside the White House say agencies must submit their crypto disclosures by Monday, though there is currently no requirement for the information to be made public.
“Unclear as of now if and when the findings could be made public,” Terrett posted.
Growing Calls for Transparency
The lack of public access to government crypto holdings has sparked backlash from the crypto community. Several users on X (formerly Twitter) questioned why data on federally held crypto assets—effectively owned by taxpayers—is being kept under wraps.
“You’d think the government would make it public since they work for the people,” wrote one user.
Others called the situation “shady,” demanding more openness about the scope of federal crypto ownership and activity.
Background: Executive Order and Strategic Reserves
The executive order, signed in early March, directs agencies to conduct a full audit of federal crypto holdings and mandates the creation of two new asset structures:
- The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: Dubbed a “digital Fort Knox,” this reserve is intended to hold seized Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset, reversing the previous government approach of auctioning off confiscated tokens.
- The U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile: A more flexible structure for managing non-Bitcoin assets such as ETH, BNB, TRX, and stablecoins. These assets can be sold, swapped, or utilized in line with evolving policy objectives.
During a podcast last month, David Sacks, Trump’s appointed AI and Crypto Czar, revealed that the U.S. once held around 400,000 BTC, but sold half for just $366 million—a decision that would now represent a missed opportunity of over $17 billion at today’s prices.
What Does the Government Currently Hold?
According to Arkham Intelligence data from April 7, the U.S. government still holds approximately 198,000 BTC, valued at around $15 billion. Additional holdings in ETH, WBTC, and BNB total roughly $380 million. However, no full audit has ever been conducted, meaning these numbers could vary significantly across federal agencies.
The new disclosure requirement aims to change that.
Ongoing Crypto Seizures Continue
Federal agencies remain active in seizing illicit crypto. In March, the Department of Justice confiscated over $200,000 in digital assets tied to Hamas, linked to a broader terror-financing operation that moved more than $1.5 million across wallets and exchanges since October 2024.
Additionally, on March 3, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Ohio announced the forfeiture of $8.2 million in USDT from a crypto investment scam, with the intent to return the funds to victims.
Final Thoughts
While the move toward crypto asset disclosures represents progress in accountability and regulatory alignment, the lack of transparency over whether the findings will be released publicly raises concerns. With a full audit finally underway and the U.S. preparing new digital asset frameworks, the coming months could mark a turning point in how the government manages and communicates its crypto strategy.
