Bitcoin News Today: U.S. Treasury Clarifies Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Strategy Using Confiscated Assets

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has clarified the U.S. government's approach to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, emphasizing that the Treasury will not purchase Bitcoin directly but will instead expand the reserve using confiscated assets and other budget-neutral methods [1]. Speaking on Fox News and later on social media, Bessent outlined a strategy of leveraging assets already under government control while halting the sale of seized Bitcoin to build up holdings. He estimated the current value of the reserve at between $15 billion and $20 billion [1].

Bessent also reiterated the administration’s commitment to making the U.S. the “Bitcoin superpower of the world,” aligning with an executive order signed by Donald Trump in March 2024, which established the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a broader digital asset stockpile [1]. However, the path forward remains unclear as the Treasury continues to “explore” budget-neutral acquisition strategies, including the use of tariff revenue and the revaluation of existing assets [1].

The recent clarification followed earlier remarks that had sparked market volatility, including a sharp sell-off of Bitcoin after initial reports suggested the Treasury was not pursuing active Bitcoin purchases [1]. The administration’s shifting tone reflects the delicate balance Bessent must maintain between advancing the president’s digital asset agenda and avoiding perceptions of financial recklessness or political overreach [1].

Analysts have noted that while the Treasury has outlined its objectives, it has yet to demonstrate a clear execution plan. Eli Nagar, CEO of Braiins, and commentator Max Keiser have both expressed skepticism about the pace of action, with Nagar suggesting that the administration’s approach appears more like “avoidance” than leadership [1]. Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced the BITCOIN Act, a legislative proposal aimed at providing the Treasury with the legal clarity needed to proceed with more decisive action [1].

Bessent’s statements also confirm that the Treasury has no plans to liquidate its current Bitcoin holdings, a decision that aligns with independent estimates suggesting the government’s reserves are valued at approximately $23.5 billion as of August 2025 [1]. This strategy of holding rather than selling positions the U.S. as a long-term stakeholder in the asset class, though the absence of a concrete acquisition strategy continues to fuel uncertainty [1].

The ongoing ambiguity in the administration’s messaging has left market observers and political critics alike questioning the feasibility of the U.S. becoming a global Bitcoin leader without more decisive steps [1]. For now, the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve remains a policy aspiration rather than an active financial initiative.

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[1] Cointelegraph, https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-treasury-still-exploring-budget-neutral-bitcoin-buys-secretary-says