- U.S. creates a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to hold forfeited BTC assets.
- A United States Digital Asset Stockpile will manage other government-owned cryptocurrencies
- Treasury and Commerce Departments to develop budget-neutral strategies for acquiring more Bitcoin.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. government is formally establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve under a new executive order signed by the President on March 6, 2025. The move cements Bitcoin’s role as a strategic financial asset and signals a shift in federal policy toward digital currencies.
The order directs the Department of the Treasury to consolidate Bitcoin (BTC) obtained through criminal and civil asset forfeiture into a single reserve. Unlike previous government auctions of seized BTC, this order prohibits selling these assets, positioning them instead as reserve assets. A separate United States Digital Asset Stockpile will be created to oversee other digital currencies held by the government. These assets, except BTC, may be liquidated in certain cases, including law enforcement operations and victim restitution.
Why It Matters
The decision to hold BTC rather than auction it off reflects Bitcoin’s increasing recognition as a strategic store of value. Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins makes it resistant to inflation, leading some to compare it to digital gold.
By maintaining a permanent BTC reserve, the U.S. government could strengthen its position in the evolving global digital economy. The move also suggests a potential future where governments actively participate in Bitcoin markets rather than treating it solely as a seized asset.
The order also limits further acquisitions of non-Bitcoin digital assets outside of forfeitures, reinforcing the administration’s preference for BTC over other cryptocurrencies.
Implementation & Oversight
- The Treasury Secretary will oversee the new BTC reserve and stockpile.
- Within 30 days, all government agencies must report their holdings and transfer BTC to the reserve.
- A legal and investment review of the policy’s long-term implications is due within 60 days.
The executive order does not specify whether the government will use BTC as collateral, leverage it for financial operations, or integrate it into broader monetary policy. However, the emphasis on “responsible stewardship” suggests BTC will be managed conservatively.
Next Steps
The move has sparked debate over Bitcoin’s role in national financial strategy. While supporters hail it as a forward-thinking approach, critics question whether the government should hold volatile digital assets.
The administration’s willingness to expand BTC holdings—if budget-neutral— hints at a potential long-term accumulation strategy. If enacted, this could put the U.S. in a dominant position among nations in the digital asset space.
As Bitcoin adoption grows, this reserve could become a key component of U.S. financial resilience and digital asset policy in the years ahead.