Trump’s Treasury Secretary Bessent reiterates commitment to adding seized Bitcoin to strategic reserve

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirmed the administration's commitment, stated during a Davos news conference, to adding Bitcoin obtained through criminal seizures and legal forfeiture to the national digital asset reserve. Bessent clarified that the policy is to stop selling seized Bitcoin first, and then add the assets to the reserve after damages are settled. He did not elaborate on the ongoing litigation regarding Bitcoin seized from Tornado Cash developers by the Southern District of New York (SDNY). This follows reports questioning whether the DOJ and US Marshals Service (USMS) liquidated Bitcoin forfeited by Samourai Wallet developers, which the USMS later denied, stating the assets would be retained in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). Bessent indicated the focus remains on growing the SBR with seized Bitcoin, with no immediate plans to purchase additional Bitcoin, although budget-neutral options like the BITCOIN Act remain under consideration.

(Source：Crypto Briefing)