Bitcoin
Wallets linked to the U.S. government transferred approximately 12,267 Bitcoin worth about $1.01 billion from funds seized in the 2016 Bitfinex hack, with the assets moved to newly created, unlabeled addresses.
The transactions did not involve a recorded deposit to a cryptocurrency exchange, suggesting the movement was more consistent with internal wallet restructuring than an immediate sale. A second transfer also routed funds to a separate address, further indicating that the bitcoin remained within government-controlled holdings.
The transfers followed heavier government-linked activity the previous day, when roughly 3,200 BTC worth about $264 million and $119 million in USDT were sent to Coinbase Prime deposit addresses. Those assets were linked to seizures associated with FTX/Alameda and Bitfinex.
Transfers to Coinbase Prime do not necessarily confirm that assets are being sold, as the platform also provides institutional custody services. The distinction is particularly relevant given the U.S. government's stated policy of retaining forfeited bitcoin within a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve rather than selling it.
The government continues to hold approximately $25.5 billion worth of cryptocurrency, making the movement of seized assets an important area for the market to monitor. The key focus will be whether future transfers remain limited to internal custody arrangements or eventually reach exchange-linked addresses in a manner that could indicate potential market activity.
