U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Crypto Stockpile a 'Pivotal Moment' for Industry: KBW

U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Crypto Stockpile a ‘Pivotal Moment’ for Industry: KBW

President Trump’s executive order calling for the formation of a strategic bitcoin (BTC) reserve and a crypto stockpile is a “pivotal moment” for the industry, investment bank KBW said in a research report Friday.

The President directed his administration to establish a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve to hold the assets that have been seized by the government. He also called for a stockpile of other types of digital assets.

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KBW noted that the “world’s largest superpower has embraced several leading blockchain protocols.”

Bitcoin is the real winner here, as it is being exclusively treated as a reserve asset, the report said. No bitcoin will be sold and the government is also looking at options to buy more of the cryptocurrency.

KBW estimates that the government holds about 198,000 bitcoin. It noted that roughly 55% of this stack will be returned to Bitfinex, leaving a balance of around 86,000 tokens.

No details were given about how the government plans to accumulate bitcoin, but it could sell some of its more than $800 billion in gold reserves to fund additional purchases of the crypto, KBW said.

The issuance of U.S. Treasury Bitbonds is another option, the bank said. These are treasury bonds that include a bitcoin “kicker,” and could lower the government’s borrowing costs.

The government could also form partnerships with miners in the U.S. to receive bitcoin royalties in exchange for tax breaks or incentives, the report added.