The $11.4B Bitcoin Recovery Guide.

In one of the most consequential asset recovery actions in U.S. legal history, the Department of Justice successfully forfeited over 127,000 Bitcoin that were directly traced to entities supporting the September 11, 2001 attacks. The forfeiture was executed via seizure proceedings in the Southern District of New York and consolidated under Multi-District Litigation #1570 (In re: Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001).

This Bitcoin represents the single largest pool of recoverable assets available to satisfy outstanding judgments against state sponsors of terrorism. The scale of the forfeiture — exceeding the GDP of several small nations — has created a unique legal landscape that requires specialized financial planning.

The central legal conflict in the Bitcoin recovery is straightforward but has enormous financial implications: At what price should the Bitcoin be valued for restitution purposes?

Plaintiffs argue that restitution should be based on the current market value at the time of distribution. Defendants and certain government positions suggest that the value should be measured at the time of loss or at the time of forfeiture. This difference is not academic — it represents billions of dollars in variation.

The $7.3 billion decline from peak to current value underscores the urgency for a settlement framework that protects plaintiffs from further market erosion while litigation proceeds.

To prevent a chaotic "first-come, first-served" distribution scenario, Sirmium Capital has developed the Mcap Settlement Matrix — a proprietary framework for analyzing priority of claims against the forfeited Bitcoin.

This framework is designed for equitable distribution and positions wrongful death families and first responders at the highest priority. The matrix accounts for overlapping claims (e.g., a first responder who is also a resident) and prevents double-counting in the distribution waterfall.

The USVSST Fund's sixth distribution round authorized $2.825 billion in payments beginning January 5, 2026. Of this, $1.4125 billion (50%) was designated for 9/11-related claimants. The Bitcoin recovery has the potential to significantly extend the Fund's operational life and future distribution capacity.

If the forfeited Bitcoin is distributed as restitution to 9/11 victims and their families, the tax treatment will depend on the structure of the distribution:

• Cash Distribution (post-liquidation): Generally treated as compensatory damages and exempt under IRC §104(a)(2) and IRS Publication 3920 for physical injury/death claims.
• In-Kind Bitcoin Distribution: Would create complex cost-basis and capital gains implications upon eventual sale. Recipients would need specialized crypto tax guidance.
• Structured Settlement: Periodic payments from managed liquidation may offer favorable tax treatment and reduce market timing risk.

Sirmium Capital recommends a structured liquidation approach that minimizes tax exposure and avoids depressing Bitcoin's market price through a single large sell event.