Trump Signs Historic Executive Order Creating Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Assets Stockpile

BREAKING: In a historic development for the cryptocurrency space, President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, marking a pivotal step toward reinforcing the United States’ position in digital assets.

Announced just now by David Sacks, the White House AI and Crypto Czar, the initiative leverages approximately 200,000 Bitcoins currently held by the federal government, acquired through criminal and civil asset forfeiture proceedings. The total value of these Bitcoin are currently worth $17.35 billion. This move underscores Trump’s commitment to his campaign promise of making the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world” without imposing additional costs on taxpayers.

The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve will treat these digital assets as a store of value, akin to a digital Fort Knox, ensuring that the government does not sell any of the Bitcoin it holds. Sacks highlighted that premature sales in the past have cost U.S. taxpayers over $17 billion in lost value, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach to maximize the holdings’ potential.

The Executive Order also mandates a comprehensive audit of the government’s digital asset inventory, as the exact amount of Bitcoin owned—estimated at 200,000—has never been fully verified. This transparency effort aims to provide clarity on the scope of the government’s cryptocurrency assets.

Moving Beyond Bitcoin

In addition to the Bitcoin Reserve, the order establishes a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile, encompassing other digital currencies forfeited through legal proceedings, such as Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano.

Managed by the Treasury Department under the guidance of Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, this stockpile will not involve acquiring new assets beyond those obtained through forfeitures. The initiative reflects a broader strategy for responsible stewardship of government-held digital assets, aligning with Trump’s vision for a regulatory framework that supports the crypto industry’s growth.

Sacks praised the rapid execution of this policy, crediting the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets and key administration figures for their role in shaping this forward-thinking approach.