The United States government has solidified its position as the global leader in Bitcoin ownership, boasting a substantial $15 billion in assets tied to the cryptocurrency.
With a formidable stash of 212,847 BTC securely held in its treasury wallets, the U.S. government trails closely behind MicroStrategy, which commands ownership of 214,246 BTC, valued at approximately $14.8 billion, according to Arkham data.
This significant Bitcoin cache draws attention to the strategic importance of digital assets within the government’s financial portfolio.
In addition to Bitcoin, the United States has amassed considerable quantities of other digital currencies, including Ethereum (ETH) as well as USDC and Tether (USDT) stablecoins, collectively valued at nearly $200 million.
Comparatively, the UK government holds the second-largest Bitcoin reserves, with holdings nearing $4.2 billion, while the German government boasts approximately $3.4 billion worth of BTC.
However, according to Arkham data, neither country holds substantial amounts of other cryptocurrencies.
Meanwhile, in Central America, El Salvador has made waves by formally embracing Bitcoin as legal tender and bolstering its reserve with 5,717 BTC, valued at nearly $400 million.
Despite enduring significant losses during the market downturn of 2022, El Salvador’s steadfast accumulation of BTC has since yielded a remarkable 50% profit on its holdings.
The United States has significantly augmented its Bitcoin reserves throughout the early months of 2023, acquiring a minimum of 5,000 BTC primarily through seizures linked to criminal activities such as those associated with the infamous Silk Road saga.
High-profile cases involving individuals like Jimmy Zhong and groups like the Bitfinex hackers have contributed to the expansion of the U.S. government’s cryptocurrency holdings.