US Government Transfers Over One Billion Dollars in Bitcoin After a 770 Million Dollar Payment

In an unprecedented transaction, a portfolio identified as belonging to the U.S. government transferred over 12,267 Bitcoin, valued at over one billion dollars at the time of publication. The movement was detected Wednesday through on-chain analysis, just hours after the same portfolio sent 770 million dollars in Bitcoin to a Coinbase Prime account. (CoinTelegraph)

US government transfers over one billion dollars in Bitcoin

Blockchain data shows that the government portfolio moved 12,267 BTC, which represents a value exceeding 1 billion dollars based on Bitcoin's exchange rate at the time of transfer. This operation follows a series of crypto-asset movements carried out by federal authorities since the beginning of the year. The volume transferred far exceeds previous public transfers, highlighting the strategic importance of cryptocurrency for the United States. (CoinTelegraph)

The destination portfolio remains anonymous; no public information has identified the owner of the receiving address. Analysts from Arkham Research linked this portfolio to the recovery of funds from the 2016 Bitfinex hack, suggesting a precise tracking of seized assets over several years. The fact that the government retains the ability to move such large sums indicates a robust infrastructure for managing crypto-assets. (CoinTelegraph)

The portfolio linked to the 2016 Bitfinex hack

In 2016, hackers stole 119,756 BTC during the Bitfinex hack, an incident that has long fueled debates on the traceability of crypto-assets. Arkham Research identified the current portfolio as one that received a portion of these recovered funds, confirming that U.S. authorities have been able to follow and seize a substantial portion of the loot. This connection shows that the procedures for seizure and on-chain tracking are now mature enough to address major historical cases. (CoinTelegraph)

Tracking these funds allowed federal agencies to consolidate a crypto reserve, strengthening the United States' position as one of the largest Bitcoin holders in the world. The ability to link transaction addresses to past events, such as the Bitfinex hack, illustrates the evolution of digital investigative tools deployed by law enforcement agencies. (CoinTelegraph)

Previous flows of 770 million dollars to Coinbase Prime

Before transferring one billion dollars, the same portfolio sent 770 million dollars in Bitcoin to a Coinbase Prime account, an operation also detected Wednesday. This transfer, completed just a few hours earlier, represents an intermediate step in consolidating assets before their potential redistribution or secure storage. The use of Coinbase Prime, an institutional custody platform, indicates a preference for recognized solutions by authorities. (CoinTelegraph)

The combined total of the two transfers amounts to nearly 1.77 billion dollars, placing the U.S. government among the most influential actors in the crypto market in terms of transaction volume. Observers note that these movements could precede an official announcement on the use of these reserves, although the Treasury has not yet commented on the operations. (CoinTelegraph)

Total volume held by the U.S. government in 2026

According to published estimates, federal authorities held 328,372 BTC at the end of 2026, originating from seizures in various criminal cases and investigations. This stock represents a significant portion of the global Bitcoin supply, reinforcing the government's role as a major market player. The holding of these assets offers the government potential flexibility to fund programs or intervene during liquidity crises. (CoinTelegraph)

The concentration of over 300,000 BTC under federal control raises questions about the governance of these reserves and potential tax implications. No detailed plan has been published regarding the future use of these crypto-assets, but the increasing transparency of transfers indicates a willingness to legitimize their presence in public accounts. (CoinTelegraph)

Executive Order of 2025 and ongoing legal framework

In March 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a strategic reserve of Bitcoin and other crypto-assets, marking the first official recognition of these assets as national reserves. Despite this order, Congress is still working to transform the measure into law, leaving the legal framework pending. The recent transfer could be interpreted as a practical implementation of this order, even though no official statement has been made. (CoinTelegraph)

The legislative debate focuses on how to account for these reserves, reporting requirements, and potential usage restrictions. Analysts emphasize that the concretization of legislation could open the way for other countries considering the integration of crypto-assets into their sovereign reserves. In the meantime, on-chain movements remain the best indicator of actual Treasury activity. (CoinTelegraph)

Repercussions on the crypto-asset market

The massive transfers immediately influenced Bitcoin prices, which showed increased volatility in the following hours. Crypto trading observers note a rise in institutional interest, with institutions closely monitoring how authorities manage these reserves. The record on-chain volume reinforces the perception of Bitcoin as a reserve asset, comparable to gold for central banks. (CoinTelegraph)

Medium-term, the consolidation of government reserves could stabilize the market by providing a reliable source of liquidity during demand shocks. However, legislative uncertainty around the 2025 executive order leaves the risk of a sudden sell-off if authorities decide to monetize these assets. Analysts recommend following future on-chain movements to anticipate potential policy adjustments. (CoinTelegraph)