Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reversed course and said the government may buy additional bitcoin for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, clarifying that future acquisitions would be budget-neutral and built on a base of forfeited coins. In a post on X, he said bitcoin “finally forfeited to the federal government will be the foundation of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” signaling openness to add more without new taxpayer funds.
The clarification comes after Bessent said that the US was not planning to buy more crypto—remarks that pushed prices lower and led many to conclude the reserve would remain static. Major outlets reported the government would rely on confiscated assets and stop selling them, with the SBR valued between $15 billion and $20 billion.
The policy sits on a March executive order that created the SBR and a separate US Digital Asset Stockpile. The order capitalized the bitcoin reserve with coins forfeited in civil or criminal cases and barred their sale; it also directed agencies to evaluate “legal and investment considerations” for managing and potentially expanding the reserve.
Bessent’s updated messaging aligns with earlier hints from the administration’s crypto team. White House AI and crypto advisor David Sacks has said the US could acquire more bitcoin if it can do so in a “budget-neutral” way, a formulation that dovetails with today’s Treasury line and suggests coordination with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on implementation.
Information for this briefing was found via Cryptopolitan, Protos, and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
