Catenaa, Wednesday, July 09, 2025-Sweden Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer has directed authorities to intensify enforcement of a sweeping law enabling seizure of unexplained wealth, including cryptocurrencies, luxury goods, and real estate. The law empowers officials to confiscate assets from individuals unable to prove their wealth’s legitimacy, even without direct criminal charges.
Since the law took effect in November 2024, over $8.3 million in assets has been seized, though the exact amount linked to crypto remains unclear. Strömmer urged police, tax agencies, and enforcement authorities to focus on cases likely to yield significant confiscations.
The legislation aims to disrupt criminal financing and combat violent crime by targeting disproportionate wealth. Authorities can seize cash, bank holdings, and valuables if owners fail to show their income matches their property or cannot otherwise explain its origin.
The law has raised concerns among legal experts and civil rights advocates over potential civil liberties violations. High-profile seizures include $137,000 and a Rolex at Gothenburg airport, and nearly $1 million seized during the law’s first week.
Meanwhile, Swedish lawmakers are pushing to incorporate Bitcoin into the country’s foreign reserves, proposing a “budget-neutral” approach by retaining seized BTC rather than liquidating it. This mirrors the U.S. strategy after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March formalizing Bitcoin as part of the national reserve.
Supporters view Bitcoin as digital gold with potential to hedge economic instability, fueling discussions on its role in Sweden’s financial framework.
