Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces and his transfer to the United States, rumors about Venezuela’s supposed Bitcoin fortune have intensified dramatically.
Some speculate that the US might now gain control over a vast, concealed Bitcoin cache—commonly estimated at around 600,000 BTC, which would be valued near $60 billion based on current market prices. However, both legal frameworks and blockchain data paint a much more cautious picture.
Is Venezuela’s Alleged 600,000 BTC Hoard Reality or Myth?
The speculation revolves around claims that Venezuela secretly amassed Bitcoin over several years as a means to circumvent international sanctions.
Proponents highlight unofficial oil trades, gold exports, and domestic cryptocurrency use as signs pointing toward a significant “shadow reserve.”
VENEZUELA’S BITCOIN SHADOW RESERVE 🟧
1) The Shadow Reserve
– Intelligence reports suggest Venezuela quietly accumulated over $60 billion in Bitcoin and USDT since 2018 to dodge sanctions. (HUMINT)
2) Gold → Oil → Crypto
– In 2018: Venezuela exported 73.2 tons of gold ($2.7B)… pic.twitter.com/eKrwspcacD
— Bitcoin Archive (@BitcoinArchive) January 5, 2026
Nonetheless, there is no verifiable on-chain evidence supporting claims that the Venezuelan government holds hundreds of thousands of Bitcoins.
No specific wallets have been linked to the state nor any custodians publicly identified. Thus far, blockchain records do not confirm these assertions.
In essence, the $60 billion figure remains speculative rather than factual.
WATCH: Coinbase’s John D’Agostino explains why Bitcoin is rising amid US actions in Venezuela 🇻🇪
He emphasizes this movement isn’t politically motivated but driven by liquidity recovery,
increased institutional interest,
and Bitcoin reclaiming its status as a long-term store of value.
pic.twitter.com/4xtXM9fFKu— BeInCrypto (@beincrypto) January 6, 2026
The Actual Extent of Venezuela’s Holdings
The only consistently reported amount across public trackers and expert analyses hovers around approximately 240 BTC—a modest sum by global standards—and even this number is subject to debate.
This relatively small quantity is not definitively connected with wallets accessible by US authorities; it could be secured in cold storage or held under third-party custody beyond American jurisdictional reach.
An important distinction lies in ownership: assets owned directly by the state face stricter legal hurdles compared to those held personally or privately.
The Legal Feasibility for The US To Confiscate Maduro’s Bitcoins
From a legal standpoint within the United States framework,the answer tends toward yes.Once Nicolás Maduro has been physically detained on U.S soil,and if formally charged,federal courts typically claim jurisdiction over such cases .
The longstanding Ker-Frisbie doctrine permits prosecution regardlessof how defendants are brought into U.S jurisdiction—even if through unconventional means .
Moreover,the U.S government doesnot recognizeMaduro asthe legitimate head-of-stateofVenezuela ,weakening any immunity he might claimin American courts .
However ,possession alone doesnot equateto controlover assets .
1990 Manuel Noriega vs2026 Nicholas MadurounderKer–Frisbiedoctrine
Complexlegalities
The Ker–Frisbiedoctrine establishesjurisdictionovercriminaldefendantswithinU.Sterritoryregardlessoftheirmethodofarrival…pic.twitter.com/0BOpkWZed7
— Ryan Milton(@1860rm)January5 ,2026
ConfiscatingBitcoin requires two essential elements – judicial authorizationand physicalaccessibility .
The first step demands prosecutors demonstratethatthe bitcoinsare directly tiedto criminalcharges filedinthecourtroom.Speculation,intelligenceclaimsor geopolitical narratives arenot sufficient evidence .
The second step necessitates access tothe private keys,custodians cooperatingwithauthoritiesor exchanges operatingunderUS jurisdiction.Without possessionofthekeysorcooperationfromcustodians,itissimply impossibletoseizebitcoin,no matterwhoistakeninto custody.
This applies equallytothe rumoredmassive stashandthe smallerholdingofapproximately240BTC.
A Pragmatic Outlook Moving Forward
If identifiable,Venezuelan cryptoassets maybefrozenbyUS officials.Theymight exertpressureon intermediariesormonitorwallets suspectedto be involved.Theycould also leverage forfeiturethreatsduringlegalproceedings.
Nethertheless,seizinga$60billionbitcoin hoardremainsbothlegallychallengingandpracticallyunlikely.
Catchinghigh-profilefigures likeDonald Trump’skeyopponentdoesnotautomaticallyunlockanyVenezuelan bitcoin holdings,whetherrealorrumored.
Lackingconcreteproof,jurisdiction,andcontrolkeys,manyboldclaimswillremainbeyondreach.
The post& # x0020;Can't Trump's Administration Seize Venezuela's $60 Billion Bitcoin Reserve If It Exists? appeared first on BeInCrypto.