Bitcoin News Today: Governments Quietly Accumulate Bitcoin Reserves as Strategic Sovereign Asset

Governments around the world are increasingly accumulating Bitcoin, reshaping the geopolitical and economic landscape of digital assets. While the United States and China remain the most visible holders, a growing number of countries are quietly building sovereign Bitcoin reserves, often through unconventional means such as seizures, mining, and legal strategies [1].

The U.S. government holds the largest publicly known Bitcoin stash, with approximately 200,000 BTC acquired through high-profile seizures from entities like the Silk Road marketplace and ransomware operations. In March 2025, President Donald Trump formalized the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, signaling a shift in how the U.S. manages seized crypto assets [1]. This move reflects a broader strategic interest in Bitcoin as a sovereign asset rather than just a forfeited one.

China, though less transparent, is estimated to hold a significant amount of Bitcoin, including 190,000 BTC seized from the PlusToken scam in 2019. Despite a ban on domestic trading and mining, China remains a key player in the global Bitcoin landscape, with analysts speculating that parts of its holdings may be in cold storage or partially liquidated [1].

Beyond the U.S. and China, other nations are quietly reshaping the Bitcoin ownership map. Bhutan, for instance, has leveraged its hydropower surplus to mine between 12,000 and 13,000 BTC since 2019. Its approach, managed through the state-owned Druk Holding & Investments, turns renewable energy into a long-term asset, representing 30%-40% of its national economy in crypto value [1]. This is one of the clearest examples of Bitcoin being integrated into a country’s core economic planning.

The United Kingdom, too, has emerged as a major holder of Bitcoin, with approximately 61,000 BTC seized during a 2021 money laundering investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service has considered retaining the Bitcoin rather than selling it, potentially establishing the UK as an unexpected sovereign holder [1]. While not yet formalized, the UK’s position in the Bitcoin geopolitics conversation is undeniable.

In 2022, Ukraine began accepting Bitcoin donations for war-related expenses, receiving over $70 million in BTC in its first year of conflict. By mid-2025, its holdings had dropped to around 186 BTC, indicating rapid use rather than strategic accumulation [1]. This case highlights how Bitcoin is being used as a real-time funding tool in times of national crisis.

El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, has continued to build its reserves, accumulating over 6,000 BTC by early 2025. Despite later repealing Bitcoin’s legal tender status under pressure from the IMF, the government maintains active Bitcoin wallets and continues daily purchases [1]. This underscores the resilience of Bitcoin as a strategic asset, even in the face of external pressures.

Iran has taken a more discreet approach, regulating Bitcoin mining as a state industry since 2019. Mined BTC is directed to the Central Bank, offering a covert way to accumulate reserves and bypass sanctions. While exact figures are unavailable, Iran is believed to control a significant share of the global Bitcoin hash rate [1].

Emerging players such as the UAE, Bulgaria, and smaller nations like Finland, Georgia, and Venezuela are also part of the evolving Bitcoin landscape. While the UAE is rumored to hold up to 420,000 BTC, the claim remains unverified [1]. Bulgaria’s reported 200,000 BTC seizure in 2017 has since been denied by officials, yet the story persists as a case study in the blurred line between fact and rumor in the realm of sovereign Bitcoin holdings.

The trend of quiet accumulation highlights the growing role of Bitcoin in national asset strategies. Whether used as a hedge against inflation, a tool to bypass sanctions, or a strategic reserve, Bitcoin is increasingly treated as a sovereign asset by governments worldwide. This shift signals a broader transformation in how states manage wealth in the digital age.

Sources:

[1] https://cointelegraph.com/explained/which-countries-secretly-own-the-most-bitcoin-beyond-the-us-and-china?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss%3Fv%3D1754032759%26rand%3D0.4277080509303661%26_dc%3D175****759698%26cb%3Dzd5danwothl&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound