The United States has created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile through an Executive Order issued on March 6, 2025.
Key Details
Bitcoin Strategic Reserve: This reserve contains Bitcoin (BTC) that was seized in criminal or civil cases. It is meant to be a long-term asset and will not be sold. The Treasury and Commerce Secretaries can explore budget-friendly ways to buy more Bitcoin without using taxpayer money.
U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile: This stockpile includes other digital assets such as Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano, which were also obtained through forfeiture. Unlike the Bitcoin Reserve, the government will not acquire more assets for this stockpile, though the Treasury Secretary may decide on strategies for managing it, which could include selling some assets.
Estimated Holdings: As of March 15, 2025, the U.S. government was estimated to hold about 207,000 Bitcoin, worth around $17 billion at that time. Other estimates suggested holdings of about 198,012 Bitcoin valued at $16.8 billion as of April 1, 2025.
Purpose: This initiative seeks to position the U.S. as a leader in digital asset strategy, centralize the management of seized cryptocurrencies, and potentially build financial stability, diversify assets, and protect against inflation.
Recent News and Context
The U.S. House recently moved forward with a funding bill asking the Treasury Department to examine the feasibility and governance of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
Some state governments are also thinking about setting up their own Bitcoin reserves. New Hampshire established one in May 2025, and other states like Michigan are pushing similar bills.
Public opinion on the reserve is mixed. While some see it as a way to legitimize Bitcoin, others are worried about its impact on regulatory policy or its actual benefits for the public.
