A senior White House advisor confirmed today that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has not yet sold the substantial quantity of Bitcoin (BTC) forfeited in connection with the federal case against the founders of Samourai Wallet. The clarification addresses recent speculation within the cryptocurrency community regarding the government’s timeline for liquidating the seized assets.
The case, which saw the arrests of Samourai founders Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill in April on charges including money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, led to the seizure of significant crypto holdings. While the exact value remains confidential, the forfeited BTC is estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars at current market prices.
Speaking to reporters on background, the White House official stated unequivocally, “The seized crypto assets stemming from the Samourai investigation remain secured in government custody. There has been no liquidation or sale of these specific holdings to date.”
The advisor stressed that the DOJ’s policy regarding the disposal of forfeited assets is designed to maximize recovery value while minimizing any potential disruption to the broader cryptocurrency market. The decision to hold the assets, rather than proceeding with a rapid sale, indicates a strategic approach aimed at capitalizing on market stability or fulfilling potential future court mandates. This contrasts with certain previous high-profile forfeitures where the government executed sales shortly after the final legal orders were issued.
Source: DOJ didn’t sell Bitcoin forfeited from Samourai case: White House advisor
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