For cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, although Satoshi Nakamoto's true identity remains unresolved and he/she may own a large amount of Bitcoin, some countries still choose to include Bitcoin in their strategic reserve assets, which can be analyzed from the following perspectives:
⸻
1️⃣ Bitcoin's characteristics as a store of value
Bitcoin is regarded as a form of digital gold because it possesses the following characteristics:
• Limited supply: The maximum supply of Bitcoin is designed to be 21 million coins, giving it scarcity similar to gold.
• Inflation resistance: Bitcoin is not affected by the monetary policies of any government or central bank, making it an attractive choice for countries concerned about the depreciation of fiat currencies.
• Value preservation potential: One of the reasons many countries choose Bitcoin as a reserve asset is its strong value preservation potential over the long term, especially in times of inflationary pressure on the dollar or other major fiat currencies.
⸻
2️⃣ The future of decentralization and international trade
Bitcoin's decentralized nature frees it from the control of any single government or financial institution, which is an important attraction for some countries:
• Reducing dependence on the dollar: Many countries, especially developing nations, face risks of financial crises or economic sanctions due to their dependence on the dollar. Bitcoin offers an option to decouple from the global monetary system.
• Cross-border payments: Bitcoin transactions can be conducted quickly and at low cost, which is particularly attractive for countries under economic sanctions (such as Venezuela, Iran).
⸻
3️⃣ The legalization of Bitcoin and global acceptance
The legalization of Bitcoin and the increasing acceptance by more countries has gradually made it a tool regarded as a mainstream asset:
• The precedent of El Salvador: In 2021, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, serving as a demonstration for other countries.
• Support from international organizations and investors: Many international organizations and large investors (such as MicroStrategy, Tesla, Square, etc.) have invested in Bitcoin, which enhances Bitcoin's credibility as an asset and demonstrates its potential role in the global economy.
⸻
4️⃣ Market potential and investment returns
Although Bitcoin's price is highly volatile, its appreciation potential over the long term has attracted many countries to invest as a strategic asset:
• Long-term appreciation: Many countries see the potential of Bitcoin as a long-term investment and believe it will yield higher returns over time compared to other traditional assets (such as government bonds, gold, etc.).
• Investment diversification: Many countries, especially those diversifying their reserve assets, incorporate Bitcoin into their reserves to further reduce risk. This helps avoid over-reliance on a single asset (such as gold or the dollar).
⸻
5️⃣ The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto and its impact on assets
Although the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains a mystery, and he/she may own a significant amount of Bitcoin, this does not affect the nature of Bitcoin as an asset:
• Decentralization: The true value of Bitcoin comes from its blockchain technology and decentralized nature, rather than control by any one person. Even if Satoshi Nakamoto owns a large amount of Bitcoin, as long as the Bitcoin network and operations are not affected, it remains an asset accepted in the global market.
• Diversification of risk: Bitcoin's blockchain and decentralized trading system make it difficult for a single entity to manipulate, which gives countries more confidence when incorporating it into their reserves.
⸻
Summary:
Although the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto remains unresolved, and he/she may own a large amount of Bitcoin, this does not affect Bitcoin's characteristics as an asset. Many countries choose to include Bitcoin in their strategic reserve assets primarily because of its scarcity, decentralization, inflation resistance, and long-term appreciation potential as an investment asset.