Bhutan's Bitcoin reserves have quietly increased to over $1.1 billion, making this small kingdom in the Himalayas a unique player in the realm of national assets.

According to data from Arkham Intelligence, Druk Holdings – the investment fund owned by the Bhutanese government – is said to have accumulated over 12,500 BTC, reflecting a strong commitment to digital assets in an era where nations increasingly view crypto as a strategic asset.

Bhutan's Bitcoin reserves

Strategic reserves

Although Bhutan's investment in crypto is no longer a novelty, its status as one of the largest Bitcoin-holding nations has attracted attention following Donald Trump's election victory.

Advocates in the crypto community have long anticipated the potential for the U.S. to establish a Bitcoin reserve, especially as Trump openly supports digital assets and deregulation. Many lawmakers have proposed drafts to create such a reserve for the U.S., and Trump has stated he would ensure the U.S. retains its existing Bitcoin holdings.

Bhutan, a country that began building Bitcoin reserves through mining activities years ago, is now at the center of this global dialogue. This is not because Bhutan is leading the new movement, but because the nation serves as a prime example of how small economies can approach digital assets.

The growth in value of Bhutan's Bitcoin reserves demonstrates a forward-thinking strategy that could serve as a reference model for economies looking to diversify beyond traditional reserve assets.

Trump's business-friendly policies and willingness to ease regulations have sparked hopes that his administration could embrace Bitcoin as a strategic asset, completely changing how the U.S. manages its national reserves.

Financial analysts believe that a Bitcoin reserve in the U.S. could reshape the national asset landscape, prompting other countries to adopt similar policies. This has led to much speculation about which country will be the first to publicly express its intention to accumulate Bitcoin.

Acceptance by nations

Dennis Porter, CEO of Satoshi Act Fund, recently sparked curiosity by challenging people to 'guess' which country would be the first to start accumulating Bitcoin as a reserve asset, suggesting he knows the answer.

Some believe he is alluding to the U.S., however, other rumors suggest it could be one of several other countries, including Qatar and the UAE – both of which have long been the focus of unverified speculation.

Julian Fahrer, CEO of Apollo, has published a list of the top eight sovereign wealth funds, including the UAE, China, and Norway, all of which have strong potential to incorporate Bitcoin into their national reserves.

Unverified reports have fueled these speculations, especially rumors about an unidentified entity buying 100 Bitcoin every day for an extended period. Initially believed to be Qatar, this activity remains unconfirmed, leaving open the possibility of whether this is a move by a government agency or a large investment organization.

If the Trump administration truly pursues a Bitcoin reserve, it would mark an unprecedented shift in U.S. financial policy, with the potential to impact global markets and usher in a new era of digital asset acceptance by countries around the world.