Trump’s Proposal for a U.S. Bitcoin Stockpile: What You Need to Know
Bitcoin prices have surged in 2024, partly due to President-elect Donald Trump's proposals for a crypto-friendly administration. Among his plans is the idea of building a U.S. bitcoin stockpile, which he believes could become a "permanent national asset" to benefit all Americans and establish the country as a leader in the cryptocurrency space.
During a July conference, Trump stated that holding onto the country's bitcoin reserves would help make the U.S. a dominant force in global cryptocurrency. Some advocates are urging the new administration to take this further by creating a bitcoin strategic reserve to help the U.S. reduce its national debt.
How a Bitcoin Stockpile Would Work
The U.S. government already owns nearly $20 billion worth of bitcoin, mainly obtained through legal seizures, according to crypto tracking firm Arkham Intelligence. While federal officials occasionally sell some of these holdings, Trump has suggested halting future sales to establish a "core" stockpile of bitcoin.
During a July speech, Trump emphasized the importance of never selling bitcoin: “For too long, our government has violated the cardinal rule that every bitcoiner knows by heart: Never sell your bitcoin.”
Bitcoin's value has risen by more than 100% this year. By keeping its bitcoin reserves intact, the U.S. could contribute to maintaining high prices, benefiting current investors.
"If you constrain supply in the overall, real-time market, then it does help to not suppress the price," said Seoyoung Kim, author of *DeFi For Dummies* and associate professor of finance at Santa Clara University.
Some are pushing for more than just maintaining the current crypto holdings. They advocate for a bitcoin reserve, similar to the U.S.'s gold and oil reserves, arguing that this could help reduce the $36 trillion national debt.
Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming introduced a bill proposing the U.S. acquire 1 million bitcoins, about 5% of all outstanding bitcoins, to hold for at least 20 years. The plan would fund the acquisition by revaluing $11 billion in gold certificates held by the Federal Reserve.
Lummis argued that a bitcoin reserve could not only help reduce national debt but also strengthen the U.S. dollar. “While there may be short-term volatility, over the long term a bitcoin reserve like this will serve as an important and stable store of value,” Lummis wrote in a *Wall Street Journal* op-ed.
Trump has also suggested that a bitcoin reserve would allow the U.S. to compete globally in cryptocurrency. "We don't want China or anybody else — and not just China, but others are embracing it — and we want to be the head,” Trump told CNBC in December.
Other countries with significant bitcoin holdings include China ($18.5 billion), the United Kingdom ($6 billion), Ukraine ($4.5 billion), Bhutan ($1 billion), and El Salvador ($582 million), according to BitcoinTreasuries.
Do We Need a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve?
Despite the enthusiasm for a bitcoin stockpile, some experts argue that the U.S. doesn't need such a reserve to remain competitive. Michele Neitz, a visiting professor at the University of San Francisco, said, “I would rather see regulatory clarity around all digital assets moving forward. To me, that benefits the U.S. economy even more than possibly holding a volatile asset in reserve.”
Risks of a Federal Bitcoin Reserve
Creating a stockpile of bitcoin may be simple for the president to enact, as the government would just stop selling its holdings. However, funding a strategic reserve would likely require Congressional approval, and analysts believe this is unlikely.
Owen Lau, a senior analyst at Oppenheimer & Co., explained, “I just have not heard enough support for creating something like that. Taking the idea further to actively buy and sell bitcoin would be quite risky and harder to justify to the public.”
Concerns about the risks of holding bitcoin include vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and the potential for a significant decline in bitcoin's price. Bitcoin has experienced large price swings in the past, such as a 70% drop between November 2021 and November 2022.
“If bitcoin goes up, you benefit from it. If bitcoin goes down, the taxpayer will lose value on that trade,” Lau said.
A Barclays analysis suggested that funding a bitcoin reserve would likely require issuing new Treasury debt, which could face strong opposition from the Federal Reserve. When asked about the proposal, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated, “We’re not allowed to own bitcoin. The Federal Reserve Act says what we can own, and we’re not looking for a law change. That’s the kind of thing for Congress to consider, but we are not looking for a law change at the Fed.”
Conclusion
While Trump’s bitcoin reserve plan has generated considerable interest, it remains unclear whether it will gain the necessary support in Congress. The proposal has sparked debate about the potential benefits and risks of the U.S. government holding a strategic bitcoin reserve, with some advocating for regulatory clarity over stockpiling the volatile asset. Ultimately, the future of this plan will depend on both political and economic factors.
