As of July 2024, governments around the world collectively control about 2.2% of the total Bitcoin supply. Unlike private investors and corporations, most governments do not regularly buy or sell Bitcoin.
Instead, they typically obtain “coins” by confiscating assets linked to criminal activity. Donations are another option.
According to CoinGecko, the United States is the largest government holder of Bitcoin. The U.S. holds a staggering 213,297 Bitcoins. At current market prices, that’s worth roughly $19.6 billion.
Most of these Bitcoin holdings were confiscated as a result of law enforcement operations targeting illegal activities like black market trading and darknet marketplace transactions.
If the U.S. government creates an official Bitcoin reserve, as President-elect Donald Trump promised during his campaign this year, its Bitcoin holdings could increase significantly, further cementing the country’s position as a major player in the cryptocurrency market.