Venezuela Holds Up to $60 Billion in Bitcoin Amid Sanctions

Venezuela’s reported Bitcoin holdings could be the largest globally, raising questions about asset management, regulatory risk, and market impact amid sanctions.

Rich by Coin

2026-01-07

Venezuela has reportedly accumulated substantial Bitcoin holdings as a means to sidestep U.S. sanctions, according to Brazen, a digital media project citing anonymous sources. Brazen reported that Venezuela holds about $60 billion worth of Bitcoin, roughly 87 trillion won. If confirmed, Venezuela would be the world’s largest holder of cryptocurrency.

BitcoinTreasuries.org estimated Venezuela’s Bitcoin holdings at about 240 BTC, worth roughly $22 million. That figure sits far below the $60 billion reported by Brazen, illustrating large discrepancies in available data. Venezuela has long pursued cryptocurrency, notably the Petro token introduced in 2018. Analysts believe the government may hold large quantities of other digital assets, including stablecoins.

The question now is how these holdings will be managed or disposed of. Sebastian Pedro Bea, CIO of ReserveOne, cautioned that asset holdings often become unstable amid regime upheavals, and that some Bitcoin could flow to exchanges. U.S. authorities have floated scenarios in which the U.S. Treasury could seize Venezuelan Bitcoin. CNBC has reported that the Trump administration could seize the Maduro regime’s Bitcoin holdings outright to bolster Treasury revenue.

Venezuela has reportedly amassed a substantial Bitcoin position as a hedge against sanctions, based on Brazen’s anonymous-source report. Brazen put the total near $60 billion, which, if confirmed, would make Venezuela the largest owner of cryptocurrency globally. BitcoinTreasuries.org, by contrast, estimates only about 240 BTC, illustrating wide data gaps.

The country has long pursued crypto, notably the Petro token launched in 2018, and analysts expect large reserves of other digital assets, including stablecoins. The key questions now are how these holdings may be managed or disposed of, and whether some Bitcoin could move to exchanges, potentially influencing prices. U.S. authorities have floated seizure scenarios, and CNBC has reported that the Trump administration could seize holdings to bolster Treasury revenue.

As the assets sit under sanctions and political uncertainty, the market will watch how Venezuela navigates asset custody and potential divestment. Regulators, financial markets, and policymakers will assess the implications for crypto liquidity, price stability, and sanctions enforcement.