David Sacks Suggests U.S. Could Buy More Bitcoin—If It Doesn’t Hurt the Budget

David Sacks, the White House’s top advisor on AI and cryptocurrency policy, revealed that the U.S. government could consider purchasing more Bitcoin—provided it can be done without increasing taxes or adding to the national debt. 

Speaking at the Bitcoin 2025 conference on May 27 during a fireside chat with Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Sacks outlined a possible route for such an acquisition, though he admitted it wouldn’t be easy.

“I can’t promise anything,” Sacks said. “But there is a pathway for the government to buy more Bitcoin if we can do it in a budget-neutral way.” That would mean identifying funding within existing programs that aren’t utilizing their allocations and redirecting those funds without imposing new taxes or worsening the fiscal deficit.

He noted that gaining support from Treasury Secretary Scott Besson or Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick would be key. “If they can get excited about the idea and figure out how to fund it without adding to the debt, then we could potentially acquire more Bitcoin,” Sacks said.

Bitcoin Reserve Program Has Presidential Backing

According to Sacks, the potential for the government to increase its BTC holdings stems from a March 6 executive order which established the framework for a U.S. crypto reserve. The order permits the government to retain Bitcoin seized in criminal or civil proceedings and opens the door to new purchases—under strict budgetary conditions.

“Specifically, the executive order allows for the acquisition of BTC as long as it’s done in a budget-neutral fashion,” Sacks emphasized. This means any new Bitcoin acquisition must be internally financed, not through public debt or taxation.

Holdings Under Review

As of April, the U.S. government holds around 198,012 Bitcoin, worth over $21 billion at current market prices. Much of this stash was acquired through high-profile seizures: 69,370 BTC from the Silk Road bust in 2020, 51,351 BTC in a separate 2022 seizure, and 94,636 BTC from the Bitfinex hack linked to Ilya Lichtenstein.

In January, the Department of Justice received approval to sell 198,109 Bitcoin. This follows a March 2023 sale of 9,861 BTC for $215.7 million. 

Whether the government decides to sell, hold, or buy more will now depend on the evolving fiscal strategy.