Bitcoin Adoption Surges Globally, 32 Countries Pursue Strategic Measures

Bitcoin adoption is rapidly expanding across the globe, with 32 countries actively pursuing exposure through various legislative and strategic measures. This trend has accelerated significantly following President Donald Trump’s executive order establishing a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The report from the Bitcoin Policy Institute highlights that 27 countries have active Bitcoin exposure, while 13 have proposed legislation to gain such exposure. Some nations, like Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, are employing multiple strategies simultaneously, including government-backed mining and sovereign wealth fund investments in Bitcoin ETFs.

Strategic Bitcoin Reserves (SBR) are the most common approach, with 16 countries having proposed or enacted such policies. This strategy involves retaining seized Bitcoin holdings rather than selling them, as it was cited that $17 billion in potential gains would have been missed from previous liquidations. States like Arizona, New Hampshire, and Texas have already codified state-level reserves into law, with many more considering similar measures. Besides SBRs, government-backed Bitcoin mining is the second most prevalent method, with 14 countries actively or proposing such operations. Ten nations currently mine through electricity provision arrangements that generate profit-sharing Bitcoin accumulation, including Argentina, Bhutan, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Iran, North Korea, Oman, Russia, the UAE, and Venezuela.

Seven countries hold Bitcoin through passive holdings, comprising seized cryptocurrency that governments have chosen not to sell. Additionally, four countries accept tax payments in Bitcoin across various jurisdictions, including Panama City, the Swiss cantons, Dubai, and Colorado state. Government pension funds and sovereign wealth funds also provide additional exposure avenues. For instance, Michigan’s state pension fund invested directly in Bitcoin, while 17 other state pension funds maintain indirect exposure through Strategy holdings. Internationally, Japan’s government pension fund is exploring direct investment, and South Korea’s fund holds substantial Strategic allocations.

The report positions Bitcoin adoption as a “game-theoretic race” among nations seeking alternatives to traditional reserve assets. Countries view Bitcoin as a complement to gold reserves, providing digital portability advantages over physical assets. The authors argue that Bitcoin offers sanctions-resistant properties and enables direct international payments without dollar intermediation. Adoption momentum has accelerated markedly since Trump’s election, with exposure events spiking from sporadic pre-2020 activity to over 50 events in early 2025. The report concluded that major powers across continents now engage with Bitcoin as a macroeconomic asset, making a reversal unlikely.

Fold has announced the debut of its new Bitcoin rewards credit card, a product aimed at bringing crypto rewards to everyday spending. The card will be on the Visa network and will be powered by Stripe Issuing. It is intended to provide cashback in bitcoin without having to rely on categories, staking tiers, or complicated token systems. This launch is an important step in increasing the adoption of Bitcoin by consumers. The Fold Bitcoin Credit Card will offer up to 3.5 percent rewards on purchases. Cardholders will receive an unlimited two percent cash back instantly. An additional 1.5 percent is available for those who pay balances with a Fold checking account with qualified activity. These features make the card competitive with top rewards products on the market. Fold is also working with top retailers to increase the benefits. Users can earn up to 10 percent back with brands such as Amazon, Target, Starbucks, DoorDash, Best Buy, Uber, and many others. This extensive network of merchants increases the potential value to cardholders. Rewards will always be paid in Bitcoin, which provides a standard way of digital asset accumulation.

Unlike other crypto-linked cards, Fold’s product gets around common barriers. There are no staking requirements or exchange lock-ins. Customers receive Bitcoin directly and can use the rewards immediately. This structure makes it easy for any new user to access while still being attractive to participants in the crypto realm. The launch of the card underscores the rising need for integration of digital assets in consumer financial products. Stripe’s programmable financial infrastructure is being used to issue and manage the card. Visa’s worldwide acceptance network means that it can be used at millions of locations worldwide. Together, the three firms are positioning the product for large-scale adoption. Fold trades out of Nasdaq with the ticker FLD. The company calls itself focused on building consumer-friendly financial tools connected with Bitcoin. Its approach is one of transparency and simplicity, which has a lot of resonance with early adopters and mainstream users alike. By connecting spending to owning bitcoin, the firm hopes to promote long-term saving as well as daily activity. Industry analysts view the Fold card as a part of a larger trend. Crypto rewards programs have grown in popularity over the past years, but most are based on intricate token ecosystems. Fold’s strategy of only offering bitcoin is a differentiator in the market. This might be attractive to both casual users who want to make quick rewards and investors who want to accumulate assets over time. The timing of the launch is also important. Reports indicate that demand for bitcoin reward products has increased as the adoption has spread into the payment and consumer finance sectors. Visa has partnered with a number of crypto companies, while Stripe has broadened its issuance services. Fold’s launch capitalizes on these trends in the industry and a growing familiarity with digital assets. The introduction of the Fold Bitcoin Credit Card could help accelerate the consumer exposure to cryptocurrency. By integrating the global reach of Visa, the infrastructure of Stripe, and the rewards system of Fold, the product perhaps acts as a model for the future of financial tools. If this adoption proves to be strong, it could also help to drive wider acceptance of bitcoin as a mainstream financial asset.

OranjeBTC, a company focused entirely on Bitcoin accumulation, is set to debut on Brazil’s B3 stock exchange in early October. With 3,650 BTC on its balance sheet, the company enters the global spotlight. This makes OranjeBTC one of the largest Bitcoin holders among publicly traded companies. Founded by former Bridgewater Associates executive Guilherme Gomes, OranjeBTC is not a typical startup. Its business model centers around Bitcoin, making it the first publicly traded company in Latin America focused 100% on the cryptocurrency. According to Gomes, the firm aims to accumulate the largest Bitcoin balance possible. In comparison, Brazil’s fintech company Méliuz holds just 650 BTC, nearly six times less than Oranje. With its substantial holdings, the company is already positioned in the global Bitcoin scene. OranjeBTC has received significant backing from key figures in the Bitcoin world, including the Winklevoss twins and Adam Back of Blockstream. OranjeBTC’s strategic vision aligns with the example set by Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy. Saylor turned his company into the largest Bitcoin holder globally. Gomes has echoed Saylor’s belief in Bitcoin as a long-term strategic reserve, explaining, “We are bringing to Latin America the first publicly traded company 100% focused on Bitcoin.” OranjeBTC’s listing will follow a reverse IPO model. The company will merge with Intergraus, a firm already listed on B3. After the merger, about 85% of the shares will be in free float, allowing both institutional and retail investors access to Bitcoin exposure. Bitcoin adoption in Latin America has mostly come from individuals and startups. OranjeBTC, however, stands out by focusing solely on Bitcoin accumulation. The firm aims to provide a transparent, scalable way for institutional investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through traditional market channels. Brazil’s stock exchange has shown increasing interest in cryptocurrencies. In 2022, B3 launched Bitcoin futures and explored crypto custody services. OranjeBTC’s entry into the market highlights the growing recognition of Bitcoin as a mainstream asset in Latin America. Guilherme Gomes sees this as just the beginning for Bitcoin-focused companies. He believes banks and insurance firms will follow suit in adopting similar strategies. “This is the beginning of a new industry,” he said, emphasizing the potential for further growth in the region.