Bitcoin is often described as an asset outside the state system.
In reality, governments are already among the largest Bitcoin holders in the world — and their role keeps growing.
This article looks at:
which states hold Bitcoin,how they acquired it,how governments actually use crypto,and why the U.S. Bitcoin reserve changes the game.
📊 How Much Bitcoin Do Governments Hold?
Conservative estimates indicate that governments and state-controlled entities hold around 500,000–600,000 BTC, representing roughly 2.5–3% of Bitcoin’s total maximum supply.
This is likely a lower bound: not all state wallets are publicly disclosed, and reporting standards vary widely.
🏛️ Major Government Bitcoin Holders
🇺🇸 United States — From Seized Assets to Strategic Reserve
~190,000–200,000 BTC
Source: law-enforcement seizures (Silk Road, Bitfinex hack, other cases)Key shift (2025):The Trump administration signed an executive order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.BTC already owned by the government was designated for long-term holding, not routine liquidation.Current stage:The reserve exists legally.Operational rules (custody, audits, reporting) are still being finalized.Outlook:Possible budget-neutral expansion.Congressional proposals discuss large-scale BTC accumulation, though not yet law.
👉 The U.S. is no longer just the largest government holder — it has formally framed Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
🇨🇳 China — The Silent Holder
~180,000–190,000 BTC (estimated)
Source: confiscations from large-scale fraud cases (e.g. PlusToken)Usage:Officially undisclosed.Practically long-term passive holding.Paradox:Strict domestic crypto restrictions,yet one of the largest sovereign BTC positions globally.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
~60,000 BTC
Source: criminal asset seizuresUsage:Held as seized digital property.Potential future liquidation via formal government procedures.A case of accidental Bitcoin accumulation through enforcement.
🇺🇦 Ukraine
~40,000–46,000 BTC (historical peak)
Source: global crypto donationsUsage:Partially converted to fund defense and humanitarian needs.Partially held in crypto.Bitcoin functioned as emergency international finance, not a reserve strategy.
🇧🇹 Bhutan
~10,000–13,000 BTC
Source: state-backed Bitcoin miningUsage:Long-term national asset accumulation.Economic diversification.One of the few states that produces BTC rather than confiscating it.
🇸🇻 El Salvador
~6,000 BTC
Source: direct market purchasesUsage:National reserve asset.Political and monetary signaling.First country to integrate Bitcoin into sovereign monetary policy.
🔍 How Governments Actually Use Crypto
Governments do not behave like traders or funds.
Bitcoin is used as:
a strategic reserve,a hedge against geopolitical and monetary risk,a byproduct of law enforcement,a test case for alternative financial infrastructure.
The common pattern: hold first, decide later.
🧭 What Comes Next?
Several states are actively exploring Bitcoin at the reserve level:
🇨🇿 Czech Republic — central bank analysis of BTC allocation (up to 5%)🇧🇷 Brazil — proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve legislation🇵🇰 Pakistan — announced intention to form a state BTC reserve🇯🇵 Japan — early policy discussions on BTC as a reserve diversifier🇺🇸 United States — reserve already created; future expansion debated
The direction is clear: state-level Bitcoin exposure is moving from accidental to intentional.
🧠 Why This Matters
Hundreds of thousands of BTC are already under state control.“Hold, not sell” policies reduce long-term sell pressure.Bitcoin is transitioning:
from an anti-system experiment
to a geopolitical and sovereign asset class.
Ironically, the institutions Bitcoin was designed to bypass are now among its largest holders.
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