Key Takeaways
- The US Division of Justice is underneath scrutiny for promoting $6.3 million value of Bitcoin, allegedly defying a presidential government order.
- The Bitcoin was forfeited from Samourai Pockets, a venture identified for its privacy-centric options, via a plea deal associated to cash laundering.
Share this text
The DOJ might have breached a federal Bitcoin reserve order by promoting roughly $6.3 million in BTC forfeited by the builders of Samourai Pockets, a privacy-focused Bitcoin software.
In accordance with a doc obtained by Bitcoin Journal, the forfeited Bitcoin was despatched on to a Coinbase Prime deal with on November 3, 2025, bypassing USMS custody. The deal with now holds a zero steadiness, suggesting the belongings have been offered.
Govt Order 14233, signed underneath the Trump administration, prohibits the sale of forfeited Bitcoin except underneath particular exceptions. Authorized specialists say none utilized on this case, and the liquidation seems discretionary.
The Samourai prosecution originated underneath the earlier administration and was led by the Southern District of New York, which has continued to pursue noncustodial crypto builders regardless of a 2025 DOJ memo directing in any other case.
President Trump has since signaled assist for Rodriguez and is reportedly contemplating a pardon. Critics say implementing EO 14233 and halting these prosecutions would present the administration is critical about ending the struggle on crypto.
