Crypto czar says Biden's 'bad' Bitcoin policy cost tax payers $17 billion

Key Points

  • David Sacks criticizes the U.S. government's strategy of selling confiscated Bitcoin, claiming it has cost taxpayers billions.
  • The government sold about 195,000 Bitcoin for $366 million, which would now be worth over $17 billion if held.
  • Much of the Bitcoin sold was from law enforcement seizures, notably from the Silk Road case.
  • Sacks sold his own crypto holdings to avoid conflicts of interest upon joining the Trump administration.

Summary

David Sacks, a tech investor and former White House crypto czar, has publicly criticized the U.S. government's approach to handling seized Bitcoin, arguing that the lack of a long-term strategy has resulted in significant financial losses for American taxpayers. Over the past decade, the government sold approximately 195,000 Bitcoins for $366 million, which, if held, would now be worth over $17 billion. These sales primarily involved Bitcoin seized from criminal activities, including the notorious Silk Road case, where the government auctioned off 144,000 Bitcoins at prices much lower than today's value. Sacks, who sold his own cryptocurrency holdings before joining the Trump administration to avoid conflicts of interest, suggests that governments should reconsider their approach to cryptocurrencies, advocating for a strategy that might benefit from holding rather than immediate liquidation. Critics argue that speculative investments are not the government's role, but supporters of Sacks' view believe that holding Bitcoin could have significantly benefited taxpayers.

yahoo
March 6, 2025
Crypto
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