Crypto reserve expansion possible under Trump-era executive order
David Sacks, the White House’s AI and crypto czar, revealed during a fireside chat at Bitcoin 2025 that the U.S. government could legally purchase more Bitcoin — but only under strict budget conditions. Speaking with Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss on May 27, Sacks emphasized that any such acquisition must be budget-neutral, meaning it must not involve new taxes or add to the national debt.
Government could use reallocated funds to buy Bitcoin
Sacks explained that the U.S. might increase its Bitcoin reserves if the Treasury Department or the Commerce Department can identify unused funds from existing programs. “Maybe by finding the money from some other program that’s not using it — then we could potentially acquire more Bitcoin,” he said.
He clarified that while no promises can be made, the executive order signed on March 6 grants the authority to expand Bitcoin holdings, provided the purchases don’t negatively impact the federal budget.
Crypto executive order opens the door to government Bitcoin accumulation
Under Donald Trump’s executive order, the U.S. was authorized to create a federal crypto reserve. The order permits the government to hold Bitcoin acquired through civil and criminal forfeitures — and, crucially, to purchase more if done in a financially responsible way.
Sacks emphasized that either the Commerce or Treasury Department must lead this initiative and ensure the funding is secured without increasing debt: “If they do and they can figure out how to fund it, they actually do have presidential authorization.”
U.S. already holds over $21 billion in Bitcoin
As of April, the U.S. government owns roughly 198,012 BTC, valued at more than $21 billion, according to CoinGecko. The majority of these holdings came from high-profile seizures:
- Silk Road seizures: 69,370 BTC in November 2020 and 51,351 BTC in March 2022
- Bitfinex hack: 94,636 BTC seized from Ilya Lichtenstein in January 2022
In early 2023, the Department of Justice sold 9,861 BTC for $215.7 million, and it received approval to sell 198,109 BTC in January this year — suggesting the U.S. is actively managing its digital assets.
What’s next for U.S. crypto strategy?
Sacks’ remarks reflect growing institutional interest in Bitcoin as a strategic asset. While acquiring more BTC would require careful planning and cross-departmental coordination, the legal framework is already in place.
This evolving narrative could mark a turning point in how the U.S. government engages with Bitcoin — not just as an asset to seize, but one to potentially accumulate.
