Following the example set by the US, the British government reveals cryptocurrency holdings worth over $4.3 billion.

In the past several years, various countries worldwide have turned to confiscating cryptocurrencies. Leading the charge is the US government, displaying an impressive crypto portfolio valued at nearly $15.27 billion.

This significant collection features 212.847k BTC and 45.654k ETH.

US Dominance in Holdings Totaling $15.27B

One notable incident involves the Silk Road case back in 2013, where the US government seized approximately 144,336 BTC. Silk Road was an online marketplace infamous for facilitating illegal transactions using Bitcoin.

Another instance was the takedown of the darknet marketplace known as AlphaBay in 2017, resulting in the seizure of an undisclosed amount of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Monero.

In a separate case, the US Department of Justice recovered about $3.6 million worth of Bitcoin amidst an investigation into suspected money laundering connected to Bitfinex, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, and Tether, a stablecoin issuer.

The British government holds a notable amount of 61.245k BTC, equivalent to roughly $4.34 billion, according to data by Arkham Intelligence. Meanwhile, the German government possesses 49.859k BTC, valued at around $3.53 billion.

El Salvador has emerged as an active player in the cryptocurrency space, securing holdings of 5.718k BTC, estimated at $405 million, mainly through proactive acquisitions.

The majority of these countries acquire crypto assets through seizures due to illegal activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist financing, and cybercrime. Law enforcement efforts aim to disrupt criminal operations and ensure accountability for those involved. Additionally, governments target individuals or businesses suspected of tax evasion related to unreported crypto income, using seizures to enforce tax regulations and ensure compliance.

Moreover, regulatory pressures surrounding anti-money laundering and know-your-customer requirements may prompt seizures from exchanges and platforms failing to adhere to these standards or engaging in fraudulent behavior.