In a landmark move aimed at bolstering the United States' position in the digital economy, President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order to create a federally managed $BTC Reserve and a strategic cryptocurrency stockpile. The order, announced on Thursday, also mandates a comprehensive audit of the U.S. governmentâs existing digital asset holdings, estimated to include approximately 200,000 Bitcoin (BTC) â valued at roughly $6 billion based on current market prices.
The executive order outlines plans to consolidate and secure the nationâs cryptocurrency assets under a unified framework, citing objectives such as enhancing financial security, mitigating cyber-related risks, and ensuring the countryâs competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital currency landscape. âThis initiative marks a critical step in safeguarding Americaâs economic future,â a senior administration official stated. âBy formalizing our approach to digital assets, we are positioning the U.S. to lead responsibly in this new era of finance.â
The mandated audit will provide transparency into the governmentâs crypto holdings, which include Bitcoin seized from criminal investigations, such as the Silk Road case, as well as assets forfeited in other federal operations. The auditâs findings are expected to inform the structure of the proposed Bitcoin Reserve, which could serve as a treasury mechanism to stabilize markets or fund future technological initiatives.
Critics have raised questions about the logistical and regulatory challenges of managing such a reserve, while proponents argue that centralized oversight could prevent misuse and maximize the value of public holdings. The order additionally tasks the Treasury Department with developing protocols for acquiring, storing, and liquidating cryptocurrencies in coordination with regulatory agencies.
This move comes amid growing global interest in state-backed digital currencies and follows bipartisan calls for clearer crypto regulations. If implemented, the U.S. Bitcoin Reserve would represent one of the largest government-held crypto stockpiles worldwide, signaling a strategic shift in how national reserves are managed in the digital age.
The White House has yet to announce a timeline for the auditâs completion or the reserveâs operational launch, but officials emphasized that further details will be released in the coming weeks.
