Bitcoin News Today: U.S. Govt Holds $24B Bitcoin, Debunks 85% Sell-Off Rumor: Arkham

Generated by AI AgentCoin World
Thursday, Jul 24, 2025 8:37 am ET1min read
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Aime RobotAime Summary

- Arkham Intelligence confirmed U.S. government holds $24B in Bitcoin (198,000 BTC), debunking 85% sell-off rumors.

- Misinformation stemmed from FOIA data showing U.S. Marshals Service alone held 29,000 BTC, misleadingly implying large-scale liquidation.

- Total holdings include BTC controlled by FBI, DOJ, and DEA, far exceeding other nations' reserves like UK's $7B and Bhutan's $1.3B.

- While 0.065% of U.S. debt ($37T), the stash reflects growing institutional recognition of Bitcoin as sovereign asset.

- Debunked rumors reignited debates about potential market volatility from hypothetical sales, highlighting public record interpretation challenges.

Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence has confirmed that the U.S. government retains a

Bitcoin
(BTC) holding of approximately 198,000 BTC, valued at $24 billion, effectively refuting claims that it had sold 85% of its reserves [1]. The misinformation arose after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request disclosed that the U.S. Marshals Service alone held 29,000 BTC, sparking speculation about a large-scale liquidation. Arkham clarified in a public response that the Marshals Service’s holdings represent only a fraction of the total, with additional BTC controlled by agencies such as the FBI, DOJ, DEA, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices [2]. This clarification followed a query from Senator Cynthia Lummis on X, underscoring the need for accurate interpretation of fragmented data.

The U.S. government’s Bitcoin holdings far exceed those of other nations, including the United Kingdom’s $7 billion and Bhutan’s $1.3 billion [3]. At current valuations, the U.S. stash constitutes roughly 0.065% of its $37 trillion national debt—a figure symbolic rather than financially impactful. While this amount is insufficient to address fiscal shortfalls, it reflects growing institutional recognition of Bitcoin as a legitimate sovereign asset. The debunked sell-off rumor, however, has reignited debates about the potential market volatility if such a transaction were to occur in the future.

The FOIA data discrepancy highlights challenges in interpreting public records. The Marshals Service’s 29,000 BTC holding appeared isolated from the broader government portfolio, creating confusion about the true scale of reserves. Arkham’s analysis emphasizes the importance of aggregating holdings across agencies to avoid misleading conclusions. This incident also underscores Bitcoin’s increasing role in government asset management, with the U.S. position serving as a benchmark for other nations exploring digital assets.

The U.S. government’s approach to its Bitcoin holdings remains a focal point for market observers. While no official plans to liquidate the reserves have been announced, the mere possibility of such a move could influence Bitcoin’s price dynamics. Institutional investors are closely monitoring policy developments, particularly as debates over debt management and fiscal policy intersect with crypto asset strategies.

Sources:

[1] [title1Arkham confirms US gov $24b Bitcoin holdings, debunking 85% sell-off rumor] [url1https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688226153e230565571b9c09/]

[2] [title2Arkham confirms US gov $24b Bitcoin holdings, debunking 85% sell-off rumor] [url2https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688226153e230565571b9c09/]

[3] [title3Arkham confirms US gov $24b Bitcoin holdings, debunking 85% sell-off rumor] [url3https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/688226153e230565571b9c09/]