On-Chain Data Shows 57.55 BTC Moved to Custody, Not an Exchange
On-chain analysis of the Bitcoin forfeited by the Samourai Wallet co-founders contradicts rumors of a government sale. On November 3, 2025, blockchain records show approximately 57.553 BTC was moved from a wallet linked to the forfeiture into a deposit address labeled as Coinbase Prime. Shortly after, these funds were swept into another internal Coinbase Prime address. This activity, involving consolidation within the broader Coinbase Prime wallet cluster, represents standard operational security for a custodial platform and does not, by itself, signify a sale to a third party.
Sale Confirmation Impossible as Coinbase Prime Trades Off-Chain
The rumors of a sale cannot be verified because Bitcoin-to-fiat conversions on institutional platforms like Coinbase Prime are conducted through an off-chain ledger. As a result, the blockchain does not reflect the actual trade execution. A definitive on-chain signal of a sale would typically involve the funds moving to a non-Coinbase entity, fragmenting into smaller amounts characteristic of trade execution, or flowing into known exchange settlement wallets. None of these indicators are present in this case. The zero balance in the original deposit address only confirms a custodial sweep, not liquidation.
Potential Violation of Executive Order 14233 Remains Unproven
The speculation was fueled by concerns that a sale could violate Executive Order 14233, which mandates that certain forfeited assets be held in the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. However, determining if the seized Samourai Wallet Bitcoin was designated for this reserve is impossible using only on-chain data. Verifying a sale and any potential policy violation would require access to off-chain documentation, such as court-issued disposition orders, U.S. Marshals Service asset records, or settlement reports from Coinbase. Without this evidence, claims of a completed sale and a breach of federal policy remain speculative.
