Bitcoin News Today: U.S. Vaults Bitcoin as Digital Gold Standard, Outpacing Global Rivals
Governments Could Seize $75B in Illicit Crypto Reserves
The U.S. government has taken a decisive step toward centralizing its cryptocurrency holdings through the establishment of a Strategic BitcoinBTC-- Reserve and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile, as outlined in President Donald Trump's March 6, 2025, executive order. This initiative, which leverages seized crypto assets from criminal and civil forfeiture cases, aims to position the United States as a global leader in digital asset strategy. The government currently holds approximately 198,000 BTC-valued at $22.4 billion at current prices-according to a September 2025 House bill (H.R. 5166), which mandates a Treasury report on the feasibility of managing these assets as a reserve[2]. The executive order explicitly prohibits the sale of Bitcoin in the reserve, emphasizing its role as a "store of value" akin to gold[3].
The House bill, now under consideration, requires the Treasury to submit a 90-day feasibility study on custody, accounting, and cybersecurity protocols for the reserve[2]. This follows longstanding concerns about the fragmented management of government-held crypto across agencies, which have historically sold seized assets without a unified strategy[1]. The U.S. Department of Justice's Digital Asset Forfeiture Program and third-party custodians like CoinbaseCOIN-- have previously managed these holdings, but the new framework seeks to consolidate oversight under the Treasury[1]. The bill also mandates a secure custody plan for the Digital Asset Stockpile, which includes non-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies like EthereumETH--, SolanaSOL--, and XRP[3].
Globally, the U.S. is not alone in exploring state-backed crypto reserves. Kazakhstan, the Philippines, and Bhutan have all proposed similar initiatives, with Bhutan's $750 million Bitcoin holdings already integrated into its sovereign wealth strategy[3]. The U.S. now holds the largest known government Bitcoin reserve, surpassing China (194,000 BTC) and the U.K. (61,243 BTC), with total global reserves exceeding 517,000 BTC-about 2.46% of Bitcoin's 21 million supply[3]. Experts note that the U.S. move could catalyze a broader trend, with 16 U.S. states introducing legislation for state-level reserves in 2025[3].
The executive order underscores the strategic advantages of early adoption, particularly Bitcoin's fixed supply of 21 million coins[3]. By centralizing its holdings, the U.S. aims to enhance oversight, reduce value erosion from premature sales, and counteract past losses estimated at $17 billion. However, challenges remain, including legal and political hurdles to congressional support and market volatility risks. Deutsche Welle highlighted concerns that the reserve could enable market manipulation, akin to gold or fiat currencies[3], while economists at the University of Chicago noted skepticism about crypto's role in diversifying national reserves[4].
Internationally, the U.S. initiative has drawn mixed reactions. The European Stability Mechanism warned of threats to eurozone sovereignty, while the Bank of Korea and Swiss National Bank cited Bitcoin's volatility and regulatory non-compliance as barriers[3]. Conversely, Belarus and India have signaled openness to crypto integration, with Pakistan allocating surplus electricity to Bitcoin mining[3]. The U.S. approach, however, remains unique in its scale and explicit endorsement of Bitcoin as a reserve asset[3].
The long-term implications for the U.S. dollar's dominance as a reserve currency remain uncertain. While the U.S. seeks to adapt to a digital financial landscape, analysts suggest that a government-backed crypto reserve could either reinforce dollar hegemony by integrating digital assets into its economic framework or face competition from emerging blockchain-driven alternatives. The Treasury's upcoming feasibility report, due by mid-2026 if the bill passes, will likely shape the trajectory of this strategy[2].
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