- Governments With Bitcoin, like the US and China, could disrupt the crypto market by selling their reserves.
- The US government holds over 213,000 BTC, mainly acquired through seizures of illicit activities.
- China seized over 190,000 BTC from the Plus Token scam and might sell it under favorable conditions.
- The UK holds 61,000 BTC from money laundering cases, and Ukraine has received crypto donations.
The sale of Bitcoin by the German government recently caused a huge concern in the crypto market. Yet, the situation is even more alarming when considering number of Governments with Bitcoin and massive amounts of other cryptocurrency. So, if these governments decided to sell their holdings, it could disrupt the market in many ways.
In this article, we will look into the amount of Bitcoin reserves held by governments like the US and China, and how their actions could shake up the crypto market according to CoinBureau.
Governments with Bitcoin: USA The Largest Crypto Stash
The United States government has the largest cryptocurrency stash globally. According to data from Arkham, the US government holds over 213,000 BTC. Along with 750 wrapped BTC, 50,000 ETH, 40,000 BNB, 10 million USDC, and over 121 million USDT. So, the total value of these assets is estimated at around $4 billion.
CoinBureau notes that the US government has not purchased any of this Bitcoin. Instead, all of its crypto holdings have come from seizures related to illicit activities. So, a popular example is Individual X, an anonymous hacker who stole over 69,000 BTC from the Silk Road darknet marketplace between 2012 and 2013. Despite threats from Silk Road’s founder, Ross Ulbricht, Individual X did not spend the stolen Bitcoin but rather handed it over to authorities after being apprehended in February 2015.
Another notable case involves James Jong, who exploited the Silk Road by spamming the withdrawal button, managing to steal more than 51,000 BTC. Jong was caught in November 2021 after a series of mistakes, including a 911 call reporting crypto theft from his residence. After cooperating with investigators, Jong served a one-year prison sentence.
According to CoinBureau, the US still holds 23,329 BTC, valued at approximately $14 billion. They said that while the US could use Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, it is more likely to wait for clearer regulations on cryptocurrency before making moves. Also, the upcoming presidential election could influence the government’s decisions, with crypto becoming a focal point in the campaign.
Governments with Bitcoin: China Seizure from Scams
China is also one of the governments with Bitcoin stash. At one point, the Chinese government possessed over 190,000 BTC seized from the Plus Token scam, which promised unusually high returns and ultimately defrauded numerous investors.
In 2020, Chinese authorities arrested over 100 people involved in Plus Token, including 82 core team members and 27 masterminds. CoinBureau states that the seized assets included not only Bitcoin but also more than 830,000 ETH and over 487 million XRP. Although it is unclear if China still holds this crypto, many believe that much of it has been exchanged. The court handling the Plus Token case stated, “The seized digital currencies will be processed under laws and the proceeds and gains will be forfeited to the National treasury.”
Additionally, the Chinese government has also been active in seizing crypto-mining equipment. In September 2021, authorities confiscated over 3,500 Bitcoin mining rigs. The crackdown aimed to curb domestic cryptocurrency mining and trading. Aligning with the country’s strategy to maintain control and promote the digital Yuan CBDC.
Despite this, speculation persists about state-owned mining operations, with a notable case involving Bit Origin, a Bitcoin mining operation linked to the Chinese government. CoinBureau notes that while China’s crypto policies are restrictive, miners might quickly sell off any mined Bitcoin. Also if the china government waits until favorable market conditions before selling it could damage their credibility as regards crypto handling.
UK Money Laundering Assets
The United Kingdom holds over 61,000 BTC, which was seized by London’s Metropolitan Police from Gian Wen. Wen was convicted for laundering funds related to an investment fraud operation in China. The stolen Bitcoin belonged to Jumin Chan, who had stolen from thousands in China and then converted the proceeds to BTC. Wen was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison in May 2024.
The Crown Prosecution Service in the UK has initiated a civil recovery investigation into Wen’s Bitcoin, which might lead to its forfeiture. In March 2024, the National Crime Agency (NCA) gained new powers to “seize, freeze, and destroy cryptocurrency used by criminals”. So, this could complicate the return of stolen assets to victims.
Similarly, the UK government made significant crypto seizures in June 2021. The Metropolitan Police confiscated around $4 million worth of crypto in a money laundering investigation, a record that was surpassed the following month with $180 million worth of crypto seized.
Governments with Bitcoin: Ukraine Donations and Declarations
Ukraine’s cryptocurrency holdings come from different sources. Amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine has received crypto donations for military and humanitarian purposes. According to a July 2023 CoinDesk article, Ukraine raised over $225 million in crypto, including $41 million worth of BTC.
In April 2021, the Ukrainian government revealed that public officials owned over 46,000 BTC. Of the 700,000 officials who declared their assets, 652 reported owning BTC, with some individuals holding over 5,000 BTC. One individual even claimed to own 18,000 BTC, valued at over $1.1 billion at the time.
CoinBureau said that Ukraine also seizes cryptocurrency from illicit activities. In December 2023, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine seized $1.5 million worth of crypto. From a former Head of State Communications. Additionally, in July 2021, Ukrainian police discovered nearly 5,000 computing units and around 3,800 PS4 consoles used for illegal Bitcoin mining. The stolen electricity used was valued between $180,000 and $260,000.
How This Could Affect The Crypto Market
The presence of large cryptocurrency reserves held by governments poses a threat to the crypto market. If these governments decide to sell their holdings, it could lead to huge market disruptions. For instance, the recent sale of Bitcoin by the German government already caused concern.
The US and China, in particular, have substantial reserves. If they were to liquidate their holdings, it could lead to a sharp decline in Bitcoin prices and impact other cryptocurrencies. Also, the actions of these governments might influence market sentiment and regulatory developments.
Additionally, these Governments might also choose to hold their Bitcoin as a reserve, using it to boost their local fiat currencies. Although, this decision could provide stability but might also delay market reactions to government actions.
Conclusion
The massive Bitcoin reserves held by governments such as the US and China can have a huge impact on the cryptocurrency market. The US has accumulated its Bitcoin through seizures, while China’s holdings come from the Plus Token scam and other sources. The UK and Ukraine on the other hand also hold notable amounts of cryptocurrency, which they acquired through various means, such as criminal investigations and donations.
So, if these governments with Bitcoin decide to sell these holdings, it could lead to significant market disruptions. What do you think?
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from CryptoNewsBytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from any company.
