U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has publicly denounced the Department of Justice (DOJ) for liquidating bitcoin that should have been locked away under President Trump’s executive order on a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) sold approximately 57.55 BTC worth about $6.3 million via Coinbase Prime — proceeds seized from the Samourai Wallet developers.
Executive Order 14233 Calls for a “Digital Fort Knox”
Trump's Executive Order 14233 mandates that all “Government BTC” be retained to build a national cryptocurrency reserve. Senator Lummis took to social media: “We can’t afford to squander these strategic assets while other nations are accumulating Bitcoin.” Critics argue that the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and the DOJ are operating as a “sovereign district,” ignoring the executive branch’s pivot toward treating digital assets as long-term national assets rather than criminal loot to be discarded.
Legal Looming: Forfeit vs. Reserve
The contested transaction occurred on November 3, 2025. Legal experts note that the Samourai developers forfeited their holdings under 18 U.S. Code § 982 — which fits the executive order’s definition of “Government BTC” meant for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. There is no statutory mandate requiring immediate conversion to fiat; the decision to sell appears to be a discretionary move by the DOJ, directly contradicting Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s recent memo “Ending Regulation By Prosecution.”
Market Holds Steady Despite Political Noise
As of January 6, 2026, the total crypto market cap stands at $3.26 trillion, up 1.76%, while Bitcoin trades at $93,299, a 0.85% gain in 24 hours. The $6.3 million sale is a drop in the bucket for BTC’s daily volume, but the real risk lies in the mixed signal it sends about U.S. policy coherence: the White House calls for a “digital Fort Knox” while the DOJ opens the gate.
Next Steps: Will the White House Intervene?
The DOJ’s defiance fuels speculation that President Trump may issue a formal pardon for the Samourai developers or discipline the agencies involved. As Lummis keeps up the pressure, the crypto industry expects a unified front from Washington. If the U.S. truly aims to build a “Digital Fort Knox,” it must first stop the leaks within its own departments.