At Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas, White House crypto czar David Sacks revealed that the U.S. government could expand its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve—without adding debt or raising taxes. Sacks spoke during a fireside chat with Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, outlining how the Trump administration could acquire additional BTC through budget-neutral strategies.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Could Grow Beyond 200,000 BTC
President Trump’s March 6 executive order created the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, built from approximately 200,000 BTC ($22 billion) seized in criminal or civil cases. Some of that total still needs to be returned to victims, but the reserve is considered the largest known state-controlled Bitcoin holding.
“The executive order does allow more purchases, provided they’re budget-neutral,” Sacks emphasized.
Pathways to More BTC: No New Taxes, No Added Debt
Sacks explained that additional Bitcoin could be acquired using surplus funds from existing government programs. Analysts at K33 Research identified potential funding sources such as:
- Surplus from the U.S. Treasury Exchange Stabilization Fund
- Selling IMF-issued Special Drawing Rights
- Gold certificate revaluation
“If Howard Lutnick [Commerce Secretary] or Scott Bessent [Treasury Secretary] can figure out how to fund it, the executive order gives them presidential authority to do it,” Sacks said.
Crypto Agenda on Track for August Completion
Sacks also reviewed the broader pro-crypto agenda of the Trump administration, which he said is on track for completion by August 2025. Key accomplishments include:
- Pardoning Ross Ulbricht
- Banning Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
- Ending Operation Choke Point 2.0
- Rolling back the IRS DeFi broker rule and SEC’s SAB 121
- Curbing DOJ’s aggressive crypto enforcement
- Hosting the first White House Crypto Summit
Upcoming goals include passing the GENIUS Act (a stablecoin framework) and a market structure bill, both expected to solidify crypto-friendly reforms before the end of summer.
“The foundation is laid. Now it’s about execution,” said Sacks.
No Treasury Update Yet on BTC Reserve Review
A 60-day evaluation period for the Bitcoin Reserve ended May 5, but the Treasury Department has yet to issue public guidance, leaving markets awaiting clarity.
“I can’t promise anything,” Sacks noted, “but there is a pathway.”