Following market volatility triggered by remarks suggesting the US government might abandon its strategic Bitcoin reserve plans, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has sought to clarify the administration’s intentions. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Bessent emphasized Washington’s commitment to exploring budget-neutral pathways for purchasing Bitcoin and reiterated the nation’s ambition to become a global leader in the cryptocurrency space. The clarification came hours after comments to FOX Business appeared to signal a shift away from direct purchases of Bitcoin, prompting a sharp drop in the digital asset’s price. Bessent confirmed that confiscated Bitcoin will form the foundation of the reserve. The U.S. Treasury remains committed to growing its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. While the government has not initiated fresh purchases yet, Bessent assured markets there are no plans to liquidate existing holdings. He estimated the reserve’s value at between $15 billion and $20 billion. Concerns about the reserve’s development pace have been prevalent for months, with industry figures expressing worry that the U.S. risks falling behind other nations in acquiring Bitcoin. However, the Treasury has so far not initiated fresh purchases, and Bessent stated that they haven’t stopped selling existing holdings.