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Popular market commentator Jim Cramer suggests the U.S. government bought Bitcoin near the $60,000 level.
The claim surfaced during a live CNBC broadcast.
Key Points
- Jim Cramer said on CNBC that he had heard the U.S. planned to add Bitcoin to a national reserve at around $60,000.
- No on-chain data shows any recent Bitcoin purchases by U.S. government-linked wallets.
- Blockchain analytics firm Arkham reports U.S. government Bitcoin holdings have not changed in the past month.
- A March 2025 executive order bars the federal government from using public funds to buy Bitcoin.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the government has no authority to support Bitcoin prices or intervene in crypto markets.
Claim Made During CNBC Broadcast
Jim Cramer, a long-time CNBC host, floated the idea on the network’s Squawk on the Street program. Specifically, during the segment, Cramer said he had heard that U.S. President Donald Trump intended to add Bitcoin to a national reserve at around $60,000.
His remarks were presented informally and without documentation. A co-host noted that such an action would be significant, highlighting the potential implications for markets if confirmed. CNBC did not provide any verification during the broadcast.
Volatile Market Sets the Context
The comments came amid heightened volatility in Bitcoin markets. Last week, Bitcoin briefly fell to just above $60,000 after a rapid sell-off wiped out roughly $10,000 in value within hours.
Meanwhile, prices later rebounded, with Bitcoin pushing back above $70,000. At the time of publication, it was trading at $70,829. However, even after the recovery, Bitcoin remained more than 40% below its October 2025 peak of $126,080.
Against that backdrop, the timing of Cramer’s remarks fueled speculation, despite the lack of confirmation.
On-Chain Data Contradicts the Claim
Despite the speculation, on-chain evidence does not support claims of recent purchases. According to blockchain analytics firm Arkham, the U.S. government currently holds 328,372 Bitcoin, valued at more than $23 billion. Notably, those holdings have remained unchanged over the past month.
Arkham’s tracking shows no significant Bitcoin transfers into government-linked wallets during the period in question. The absence of new inflows suggests no buying activity occurred near the levels Cramer referenced. Consequently, the data directly contradict the idea of recent accumulation.
Policy Framework Limits Federal Action
Additionally, policy constraints further weaken the claim. An executive order signed in March 2025 stipulates that any Bitcoin placed into a federal reserve must originate from criminal or civil asset forfeitures. It also prohibits the sale of Bitcoin held in that reserve and does not authorize purchases using taxpayer funds.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated those limits earlier this week, stating that the federal government lacks the authority to support Bitcoin prices or intervene in crypto markets. He also said regulators cannot compel banks to buy Bitcoin or use public funds to invest in digital assets, including tokens associated with President Trump.
While rejecting the idea of market intervention, Bessent did highlight the performance of seized Bitcoin holdings. During a hearing, he said the government once held $1 billion worth of seized Bitcoin. Of that amount, $500 million was retained.
According to his statement, the retained portion has since grown in value to more than $15 billion. His comments focused on appreciation over time rather than any active strategy to expand holdings through purchases.
Meanwhile, speculation around a formal Strategic Bitcoin Reserve continues in prediction markets. For context, data from Polymarket shows a 31% chance that such a reserve will be officially created before 2027. In fact, that figure has increased from 23% in early January. However, these odds reflect market sentiment, not confirmed government plans.