Senator Lummis proposes Bitcoin national reserve using Federal Reserve gold
The proposal coincides with Bitcoin reaching an all-time high price of $93,477 and a market cap of over $1.7 trillion.
US Senator Cynthia Lummis has proposed the creation of a Bitcoin national strategic reserve, suggesting that the US government could sell some of the Federal Reserve’s gold to fund the purchase of Bitcoin, rather than relying on the federal budget. Lummis, a Republican Senator, pointed out that the government already holds gold certificates that could be converted into Bitcoin, which would then be held for at least two decades. The aim is to use Bitcoin’s potential appreciation to help reduce the national debt, which currently stands at around $36 trillion.
Lummis’ proposal aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s broader vision for Bitcoin, which includes positioning the US as the global hub for cryptocurrency. Trump had previously pledged to establish a Bitcoin reserve and remove SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, replacing him with someone more supportive of digital assets. While some in the crypto community are sceptical, with a poll showing only a 30% chance of success, the increasing number of pro-crypto legislators in Congress suggests the bill could pass in the future.
The proposal comes at a time when Bitcoin’s price has surged, reaching a new all-time high of $93,477 earlier this month. With a market cap now exceeding $1.7 trillion, Bitcoin’s rising value has increased optimism around its role in reducing the US debt. Lummis and Trump’s plans signal a potential turning point in the US government’s stance on cryptocurrency.