SEC Chair Says U.S. Has Not Decided on Seizing Rumored Venezuelan Bitcoin

Overview

• Paul Atkins told Fox Business the outcome "remains to be seen" and said any seizure decision would be made by other parts of the administration.
• Estimates put the alleged holdings near $60 billion, yet blockchain forensics and several intelligence platforms have found no verifiable on-chain ties to Venezuela’s government.
• Atkins stressed the SEC is not focused on confiscation and is concentrating on market oversight and investor protection.
• The Senate Banking Committee is set to mark up the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act on Thursday, a bill that would define SEC and CFTC responsibilities and tackle stablecoin rules.
• Rumors link the supposed trove to gold sales and oil transactions using crypto since 2018, resurfacing alongside reports that Nicolás Maduro was captured and faces charges in New York.