The United States has already seized nearly $1 billion in Iranian crypto assets

U.S. authorities have seized about $1 billion worth of crypto assets linked to Iran, according to the Treasury Department. The latest estimate is nearly double the amount previously reported, suggesting Washington is further tightening its crackdown on financial networks used to evade sanctions. 

The value of seized crypto assets has increased significantly

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at the 2026 Reagan National Economic Forum that the United States believes Iran may have been earning $400 million to $500 million a month by circumventing international sanctions. According to the minister, these amounts can ultimately be considered resources taken from the Iranian people.

According to Bessent, US authorities have now seized approximately $1 billion worth of Iranian crypto assets. He said that in several cases, they have directly taken control of the digital wallets, so that the assets stored in them have also come into US hands.

The amount disclosed now represents a significant increase compared to the figures released in late April, when the Treasury Secretary spoke of nearly $500 million in seized crypto assets.

A tool for economic pressure

According to Washington, the seizure of crypto assets is part of a broader strategy of financial pressure. Bessent previously said:

“This is money that was stolen from the Iranian people.”

In a previous statement, the Treasury Secretary also emphasized:

“We are freezing bank accounts around the world. More importantly, fewer and fewer people are willing to do business with the regime.”

The US government’s goal is not just to freeze or seize assets, but to narrow Iran’s international financial space, including the use of crypto assets.

Seized Bitcoins Could Add to State Reserve

Bessent indicated as early as 2025 that the United States does not plan to expand its strategic digital asset reserve by purchasing bitcoins.

However, the government can still use crypto assets seized during criminal proceedings for this purpose.

According to publicly traceable blockchain data, the US government currently holds approximately 328,354 bitcoins. This makes the United States the world’s largest known government holder of bitcoins, and the value of the assets exceeds $24 billion at current exchange rates.