On March 6, 2025, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an order officially establishing a strategic bitcoin reserve as part of the national financial policy. The news, which instantly spread across social media and incited lively discussions, marks a turning point in the US authorities' stance on cryptocurrencies. The document, published on the official White House website, is already being called a historic step that could impact the global economy and strengthen the US's position in the digital era.
According to the order text, the strategic reserve will be formed with bitcoins previously seized by US law enforcement agencies in the fight against cybercrime and financial fraud. According to the Department of Justice, the government holds about 200,000 BTC — assets valued at several billion dollars at the moment. The order explicitly prohibits their sale or other alienation, designating bitcoins as a 'strategic digital resource'. Additionally, the document outlines the creation of a separate fund for storing other cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum and stablecoins, which have also been confiscated by authorities.
The initiative's goal, as stated in the explanatory note, is to 'ensure economic stability and national security amidst the rapid development of digital technologies'. The Trump administration views bitcoin as a tool capable of supplementing traditional reserves like gold and foreign currency in an era of global digitization of financial markets.
The announcement of the order caused noticeable fluctuations in the cryptocurrency market. Within the first hours after publication, the bitcoin price dropped by 4-6%, which analysts attribute to some investors' disappointment. Many expected the Trump administration to go further and start purchasing bitcoins with the federal budget, but the order is limited to using existing assets. Nevertheless, in the long run, experts predict the cryptocurrency's position will strengthen. 'This is a signal to the global community: the US recognizes bitcoin as a strategic asset,' financial analyst James Richards noted in an interview with CNBC.
Opinions on social media are divided. Cryptocurrency supporters welcome the move as recognition of their legitimacy, while skeptics question whether the reserve will become a 'deadweight' in the state treasury. David Sacks, recently appointed as the president's advisor on digital assets, has already dubbed the project 'the digital Fort Knox' — a reference to the famous US gold reserve.
Trump's decision to sign the order fits into his broader course of economic pragmatism and innovation. Since taking office in January 2025, the president has repeatedly emphasized the need to adapt the US to the new realities of the global economy, including the growing influence of cryptocurrencies. The creation of the bitcoin reserve can be seen as a response to actions by other countries like China and El Salvador, which are already experimenting with digital currencies at the state level.
Today, March 7, 2025, a cryptocurrency summit is scheduled in Washington, where the administration will present additional project details. Representatives from major cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase and Binance, as well as key figures from the financial sector, are expected to participate. Preliminary reports indicate that the discussion will involve not only the bitcoin reserve but also possible tax incentives for companies working with digital assets.
Trump's initiative is undoubtedly ambitious and reflects his penchant for unconventional solutions. On one hand, creating a strategic bitcoin reserve could bolster trust in cryptocurrencies as a reliable tool at the state level, which, in turn, would attract institutional investors and accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain technology. On the other hand, questions remain about the practical value of such a reserve. Unlike gold, bitcoin lacks a physical form, and its value is subject to significant fluctuations. Furthermore, restricting the order's scope to existing assets may disappoint those expecting more decisive steps.
The historical significance of this decision will become clear over time. For now, one thing is certain: the Trump administration has bet on a future where digital assets play a key role. The success or failure of this endeavor will largely depend on how authorities manage their 'digital gold' and whether they can convince the world of its strategic value. Details from today's summit may shed light on these questions and determine the future course of the US in the cryptocurrency race.