Bitcoin News Today: Sweden Sees Bitcoin as 'Digital Gold' to Diversify National Reserves

Sweden could become the first European nation to establish a national Bitcoin reserve, following a parliamentary motion submitted on October 1 by Dennis Dioukarev and David Perez of the Sweden Democrats (SD). Titled "A Swedish Bitcoin Strategy" (Motion 2025/26:793), the proposal urges the government to investigate how a strategic Bitcoin reserve could be built and managed, with a focus on avoiding taxpayer-funded expenditures. The motion also seeks clarity on whether Sweden intends to alter its legal definition of tender or introduce a central bank digital currency under the Riksbank Acttitle1^[1].

The lawmakers argue that Bitcoin could complement Sweden's existing gold and foreign exchange reserves, offering diversification, inflation protection, and liquidity. Citing a capped supply of 21 million units, they emphasize Bitcoin's resistance to inflationary pressures, while its 24/7 trading and low transaction costs position it as a modern alternative to traditional assets. The motion draws parallels to the U.S. model, where a bipartisan framework under the GENIUS Act has formalized a national Bitcoin reserve. Other countries, including the UK, Finland, and the Czech Republic, have also explored or implemented similar strategiestitle1^[1].

A budget-neutral approach is proposed to avoid additional spending: law enforcement agencies would transfer seized Bitcoin to the Riksbank or another designated authority instead of auctioning it off. This model mirrors the U.S. strategy, which has accumulated over 207,000 BTC through seizurestitle3^[3]. Swedish lawmakers have been advocating for this shift since April 2025, with Dioukarev and Rickard Nordin separately urging Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson to consider Bitcoin as a "digital gold" asset. Nordin highlighted its potential to safeguard financial sovereignty amid global uncertainty, while Dioukarev framed it as a hedge against economic volatilitytitle2^[2].

The proposal aligns with broader global trends. Kazakhstan recently launched its Alem Crypto Fund, selecting BNB as its initial asset, while Brazil's RESBit initiative and Pakistan's state-led strategies reflect growing interest in Bitcoin as a reserve assettitle1^[1]. In the U.S., Massachusetts is set to debate a state-backed Bitcoin reserve in October, and Democratic-led states are increasingly exploring the asset's role in diversifying reservestitle1^[1]. Despite this momentum, Sweden's regulators remain cautious. Authorities have imposed strict oversight on crypto exchanges and miners, citing risks such as tax evasion and money laundering.

The Finance Committee is scheduled to debate the motion on October 15, with outcomes potentially placing Sweden among a small but expanding group of governments treating Bitcoin as a strategic financial asset. If approved, the move would signal a significant shift in Sweden's traditionally conservative financial policies, while also testing the European Union's divided stance on crypto adoption. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has expressed skepticism about Bitcoin's inclusion in central bank balance sheets, citing concerns over liquidity and risktitle4^[4].

Sweden's proposal also intersects with domestic debates over crypto regulation. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer has intensified asset seizures under a law targeting unexplained wealth, with over $8.3 million confiscated since November 2024. Meanwhile, private firms like H100 Group AB and Refine Group AB have begun allocating Bitcoin to their treasuries, signaling growing institutional confidencetitle1^[1]. As the debate unfolds, Sweden's approach could influence broader European and global discussions on the role of digital assets in national economic strategies.