Bitcoin Seized From Samourai Wallet Creators Allegedly Sold By US Marshall Service

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-01-05Last updated on 2026-01-05

Abstract

In a controversial move, the US Marshals Service (USMS) has allegedly sold or is in the process of selling approximately 57 Bitcoin (worth $6.3 million at the time) forfeited by Samourai Wallet creators Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill. According to an "Asset Liquidation Agreement," the BTC was sent directly to Coinbase Prime for sale on November 3, 2025. This action raises significant legal questions as it appears to violate Executive Order 14233, which mandates that criminally forfeited "Government BTC" must not be sold and should instead be allocated to the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The sale, conducted at the USMS's discretion, could spark further debate on the government's management of seized digital assets. Meanwhile, BTC's price has risen to nearly $94,300.

In a recent report by Bitcoin Magazine, it has come to light that the US Marshals Service (USMS), operating under the direction of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), has allegedly sold Bitcoin (BTC) forfeited by defendants Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, creators of Samourai Wallet.

Controversial Bitcoin Sale

According to documents titled “Asset Liquidation Agreement,” which Bitcoin Magazine has obtained, the BTC forfeited by Rodriguez and Hill is either in the process of being sold or has already been sold.

The document indicates an agreement where the defendants consented to relinquish Bitcoin valued at approximately $6.3 million, which amounted to little over 57 BTC at the time the agreement was finalized on November 3, 2025.

Interestingly, it appears that the Bitcoin transferred on November 3, 2025, did not enter the USMS’s custody directly. Instead, the cryptocurrency seems to have been sent straight to Coinbase Prime, likely for the purpose of sale.

Potential Implications For Crypto Regulation

This decision raises significant legal and ethical questions, particularly regarding compliance with Executive Order 14233. This Order stipulates that BTC acquired through criminal forfeiture—termed “Government BTC”—must not be sold and should instead be allocated to the established Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

If the USMS has indeed sold the forfeited Bitcoin, it indicates that they proceeded at their own discretion, potentially ignoring the legal mandate outlined in the Executive Order.

The Executive Order also specifies that “Government BTC” falls under the category of “Government Digital Assets,” and it mandates that agency heads cannot sell or otherwise dispose of these assets except under certain conditions, none of which apply to the cases of Rodriguez or Hill.

With this controversy surrounding the sale of seized Bitcoin, the actions of the USMS could spark further debate about how the government manages seized digital assets.

The daily chart shows BTC’s price recovery above $94,000 on Monday. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com

BTC has risen closer to $94,300 at the time of writing, representing a significant 3% increase in the last 24 hours and 8% increase in the last seven days.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

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Related Questions

QWhat is the main controversy surrounding the US Marshals Service's actions regarding the seized Bitcoin from the Samourai Wallet creators?

AThe main controversy is that the US Marshals Service allegedly sold the forfeited Bitcoin, which appears to violate Executive Order 14233. This order stipulates that 'Government BTC' acquired through criminal forfeiture must not be sold and should instead be allocated to the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

QHow much Bitcoin was forfeited by Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, and what was its approximate value at the time?

AKeonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill forfeited just over 57 BTC, which was valued at approximately $6.3 million at the time the agreement was finalized on November 3, 2025.

QTo which platform was the forfeited Bitcoin sent, and for what purpose?

AThe forfeited Bitcoin was sent directly to Coinbase Prime, likely for the purpose of being sold, rather than being placed into the custody of the US Marshals Service.

QWhat does Executive Order 14233 specify about the handling of 'Government Digital Assets' like the seized Bitcoin?

AExecutive Order 14233 specifies that 'Government BTC' is a 'Government Digital Asset' and mandates that agency heads cannot sell or otherwise dispose of these assets except under certain, specific conditions that did not apply in this case.

QWhat was the price of BTC at the time the article was written, and what was its recent performance?

AAt the time of writing, BTC's price was closer to $94,300, representing a 3% increase in the last 24 hours and an 8% increase over the previous seven days.

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