The U.S. government may be eyeing a massive crypto stash—but it’s keeping things vague. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins acknowledged on Monday that the question of whether the U.S. might seize a rumored Venezuelan bitcoin reserve remains unresolved. While signaling openness to such action, he also made it clear that any decision wouldn’t come from his agency.

In an interview, Atkins refused to confirm whether the U.S. plans to take control of the over 600,000 BTC allegedly linked to the Venezuelan government—worth between $56 and $67 billion at current prices. He emphasized that such actions fall outside the SEC’s direct authority and would be handled by other branches of the administration.

"We’ll have to wait and see," Atkins said when asked whether Washington might move to seize the cryptocurrency.

Maduro’s Arrest Sparks Bitcoin Seizure Speculation

Rumors of Venezuela’s crypto holdings surged after the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January 2026 and transported him to New York to face prosecution. The dramatic move fueled speculation that the U.S. might also target digital assets tied to Maduro’s regime.

While blockchain analytics firms stress that the 600,000 BTC figure remains unverified, they note that Venezuela has a long-standing involvement in crypto. As evidence, they point to the country's launch of the Petro digital currency back in 2018.

Still, the SEC is keeping its distance. Atkins stated that the decision to seize crypto assets lies with other government entities, not with the SEC itself.

CLARITY Act Moves Through Congress Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

As geopolitical tension escalates, Congress is simultaneously debating sweeping crypto regulation. The CLARITY Act, aimed at establishing clear rules for the digital asset market—particularly decentralized finance (DeFi)—could reshape the future of crypto in the U.S.

Though passed by the House of Representatives in July 2025, the bill was delayed in the Senate due to the government shutdown from October 1 to November 12. Democratic lawmakers are pushing for greater ethical standards, clearer transparency, and stricter oversight, while some banks and crypto companies have raised concerns over provisions related to stablecoin rewards.

Congress is also considering giving more power to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to enhance oversight of the digital asset sector.

Crypto Becomes a Battlefield of Global Power

The U.S. now faces a volatile mix of geopolitical strife with Venezuela, potential multi-billion-dollar crypto seizures, and high-stakes debates over digital finance regulation. All of this is unfolding as the 2026 midterm elections approach, and lawmakers prepare to decide how crypto will be governed in the years ahead.

Whether Washington will indeed seize crypto assets tied to Maduro’s regime remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: Cryptocurrency has entered the arena of global power struggles—and the next chapters are just beginning.


#venezuela , #CryptoPolitics , #SEC , #PaulAtkins , #Geopolitics

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