Is it illegal to have $10,000? If you're referring to financial reporting requirements, the law is just that the bank has to report when you make large deposits (and I think withdrawals as well) it's not a crime, though it is a crime to intentionally deposit multiple amounts less than $10,000 to try and evade the reporting requirements. If you're referring to civil asset forfeiture or something, then I agree work needs to be done to reign in the practice.