---
title: "David Sacks: The US Government Lost $17 Billion from Selling Bitcoin | ICOLINK"
description: "A Costly Mistake in Bitcoin Strategy"
url: "https://icolink.com/ico-news/david-sacks-the-us-government-lost-from-selling-bitcoin.html"
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date: "2026-06-30T01:31:05+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

# David Sacks: The US Government Lost $17 Billion from Selling Bitcoin

> A Costly Mistake in Bitcoin Strategy

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Sunday, 09 March 2025

## A Costly Mistake in Bitcoin Strategy

David Sacks, **Donald Trump's special adviser on cryptocurrency**, has criticized the U.S. government for its **short-sighted Bitcoin strategy**, revealing that the country has **lost over $17 billion** due to early Bitcoin sales.

According to Sacks, over the past **ten years**, the U.S. government has sold more than **195,000 BTC**, receiving only **$366 million** in return. If these Bitcoin holdings had been retained, they would now be worth over **$17 billion**—a **staggering missed opportunity** for American taxpayers.

> **"This is the cost of the U.S. government's failure to implement a long-term Bitcoin strategy. These decisions have resulted in massive financial losses,"** Sacks stated on **social media platform X**.

**Breakdown of U.S. Bitcoin Sales and Losses**The government's Bitcoin sales primarily stemmed from **confiscated assets**, including BTC linked to **darknet marketplaces like Silk Road**.

## The largest historical sales include:
| **Date** | **BTC Sold** | **Price Per BTC** | **Total Sale Amount** | **Current Value** (BTC @ $90,000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **June 2014** | 29,657 BTC | $632 | $18.7 million | $2.7 billion |
| **Dec 2014 & Mar 2015** | 50,000 BTC | $650 | $32.5 million | $4.5 billion |
| **March 2023** | 9,861 BTC | $21,800 | $215 million | $887 million |

**Total loss:** **$17 billion** due to selling BTC too early.

**U.S. Government Still Holds $17.7 Billion in Bitcoin**Despite these sales, the U.S. government **still holds a significant Bitcoin portfolio**, including:

- **198,109 BTC** (worth **$17.72 billion** at current prices)
- **$124 million in ETH**
- **Stablecoins (USDT, USDC, DAI)**
- **BNB and TRX holdings**

According to **Arkham Intelligence**, the total U.S. crypto holdings are valued at **$18.12 billion**.

**The Case for a U.S. Bitcoin Reserve**Sacks argues that this loss underscores the need for a **Bitcoin reserve strategy**. Instead of liquidating assets prematurely, the government should:

1. **Retain Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset**, similar to gold.
2. **Leverage BTC for financial stability** instead of selling at low prices.
3. **Recognize Bitcoin as an appreciating long-term asset**, rather than just liquidating confiscated holdings.

>

> "Bitcoin has proven to be **the most profitable and safest store of value**. No hacker has ever broken its security, and it continues to outperform traditional assets," Sacks said.

His remarks align with recent **discussions about the U.S. potentially creating a Bitcoin national reserve**, as suggested by **Mike Novogratz and Matt Hougan**.

**Final Thoughts: A Billion-Dollar Policy Mistake**The U.S. government's **decision to sell Bitcoin early has cost taxpayers billions**. If a **Bitcoin reserve strategy** had been implemented earlier, the government could have significantly increased its wealth **instead of realizing early losses**.

With **$17.7 billion in BTC still in government possession**, the U.S. still has an opportunity to **change course and treat Bitcoin as a strategic national asset**—before making another costly mistake.

[David Sacks](/ico-news/tags/david-sacks.html) [Bitcoin](/ico-news/tags/bitcoin.html) [Donald Trump](/ico-news/tags/donald-trump.html) [Michael Novogratz](/ico-news/tags/michael-novogratz.html) [Matt Hougan](/ico-news/tags/matt-hougan.html)