Why did the U.S. move $297M in Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime?

The U.S. government transferred nearly $297 million in seized Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime on Monday, according to blockchain data

Summary

• U.S. government wallets transferred nearly $297 million in seized Bitcoin and Ether to Coinbase Prime.
• The Bitcoin movement renewed questions about compliance with Trump’s strategic reserve order banning government sales.
• Coinbase Prime supports custody and trading, so the transfers do not prove an immediate liquidation.

The move renewed questions about how federal agencies plan to handle crypto covered by President Donald Trump’s reserve policy.

The transfers included about 3,940 BTC worth roughly $244 million and around 30,000 ETH valued near $53 million at the time. Arkham’s government wallet tracker recorded the movements, although changing market prices can alter their dollar value.

Seized Bitcoin and Ether reach Coinbase Prime

Galaxy Research head Alex Thorn linked the Bitcoin to seizures involving Ryan Farace, known online as “Xanaxman,” and the closed BTC-e exchange.

“These coin movements were comprised of coins seized from Ryan Farace and defunct crypto exchange BTC-e,” Thorn said.

The Ether came from wallets tied to Brian Krewson, an Oracle employee connected to a federal case involving crypto storage and money laundering. The transfers brought assets from several enforcement cases into an institutional platform used by government agencies and large investors.

Transfer does not confirm a government sale

A deposit to Coinbase Prime can allow trading, but it does not prove that officials plan to sell the assets. Coinbase Prime provides custody, execution, financing and staking services. Federal agencies may use the platform to consolidate wallets or move assets into managed custody.

The U.S. Marshals Service selected Coinbase Prime in 2024 to safeguard and trade certain forfeited digital assets. Government wallets have since sent funds to the platform several times. As reported by crypto.news, authorities moved nearly $984,000 in FTX and Alameda-linked crypto in June, with about $768,000 reaching Coinbase Prime.

Trump reserve order limits Bitcoin sales

Trump’s March 2025 executive order created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate stockpile for other digital assets. The order says Bitcoin placed in the reserve “shall not be sold” and must remain a U.S. reserve asset.

The order also allows some exceptions under existing law. Agencies may return assets to verified victims, use them for law enforcement work or follow a court order. Ether and other non-Bitcoin holdings fall under the separate digital asset stockpile, where the Treasury can set stewardship plans within its legal authority.

Reserve structure remains unsettled

The latest movement comes while federal agencies still debate who should manage the Bitcoin reserve.Treasury and Commerce have discussed control of seized BTC while officials review custody, legal authority and the need for new legislation.

Government-linked wallets still hold about $20.5 billion in crypto, based on current tracker estimates. Bitcoin accounts for most of the total, with roughly 325,000 BTC. The wallets also hold Ether, Tether, wrapped Bitcoin and other seized assets, although public trackers may not identify every federal address.

The recorded balance can change quickly because crypto prices move throughout the day. It can also change when courts order restitution, agencies transfer custody, or investigators identify new wallets. Public dashboards therefore provide estimates rather than a complete official federal accounting.

The Monday transfers ranked among the largest government-linked moves to Coinbase Prime in 2026. In April,a federal wallet sent 2.438 BTC from a separate criminal case to the platform.

On-chain records show where funds moved, but they do not reveal the government’s final instructions to Coinbase Prime. A confirmed sale would require further wallet activity, trading records or an official statement. Until then, the transaction remains a custody or asset-management move rather than proof of liquidation.