The United States has become the largest government holder of Bitcoin. Only MicroStrategy has more
According to data from analytics platform Arkham, the US government holds significant Bitcoin reserves stored in treasury wallets. The total volume of BTC on the balance sheet of the American authorities is 212,847 coins, which at the current rate is equivalent to approximately $14.7 billion.
This figure puts the United States in second place among the largest holders of the flagship cryptocurrency, second only to MicroStrategy, which has 214,246 BTC worth about $14.8 billion. At the same time, the United States is the absolute leader in the size of Bitcoin reserves among the countries of the world.
It is noteworthy that at the beginning of 2023, the balance of US Treasury wallets was replenished with at least 5,000 BTC seized from criminals. In addition to Bitcoin, US authorities have amassed a significant amount of other digital assets, including Ethereum and the stablecoins USDC and USDT, with a combined value approaching $200 million.
The second largest government holdings of Bitcoin assets is the UK, with BTC reserves worth $4.2 billion. Germany closes the top three, with its government owning about $3.4 billion worth of Bitcoin. However, as Arkham notes, none of these countries have significant assets in other cryptocurrencies.
Interestingly, El Salvador, where Bitcoin is recognized as legal tender, has a relatively modest reserve of BTC - only 5,717 coins worth about $400 million. But unlike other countries, El Salvador adds one coin to its balance every day.
Thus, the United States, despite its ambiguous attitude towards cryptocurrencies, has de facto become the largest government holder of Bitcoin.
