Trump’s National Bitcoin Reserve Proposal Gains Traction
As President-elect Donald Trump gears up to assume office once more in January, his proposal to establish a national Bitcoin reserve is garnering substantial attention across the United States. Several states are reportedly contemplating the creation of their own cryptocurrency reserves, indicating a broader movement to acknowledge Bitcoin as a legitimate store of value.
Pennsylvania’s Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act
In Pennsylvania, legislators have introduced the Pennsylvania Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, which would authorize the state treasury to incorporate Bitcoin into its financial framework. According to reports from FOX, the legislation seeks to allocate up to 10% of the state’s approximately $7 billion in funds toward Bitcoin. This strategic move is intended to provide a hedge against inflation and diversify investments beyond traditional assets like bonds and cash reserves. Republican state Representative Mike Cabell, the proponent of the bill, expressed:
"The Pennsylvania Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act is a visionary step toward securing our state’s financial future. By integrating Bitcoin into our reserves, we’re not only protecting Pennsylvania from inflation’s relentless impact but also positioning our state as a leader in financial resilience and innovation."
The introduction of this bill coincides with growing optimism about Trump’s potential influence on the cryptocurrency market. As the 47th president, Trump has been vocal about key initiatives that could further accelerate the adoption and growth of digital assets, not just in the US, but globally.
After Trump’s November 5 election triumph over Vice President Kamala Harris, Bitcoin’s price surged more than 25%, escalating from around $67,000 to an unprecedented high of $93,250 per token. Consequently, Bitcoin’s market capitalization soared to over $1.8 trillion. This remarkable ascent positioned Bitcoin as the seventh-largest asset globally, trailing only gold and major US tech companies like Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
A Model For Other States?
Beyond the Bitcoin reserve legislation, Pennsylvania’s House recently approved a Bitcoin Rights bill, aiming to protect residents’ rights to self-custody digital assets and use Bitcoin for payments. This bill, backed by the advocacy group Satoshi Action Fund, garnered substantial bipartisan support and passed by a vote of 176 to 26. The group is optimistic that the strong public interest in the leading digital asset will extend to the Strategic Reserve bill.
Dennis Porter, the founder of the Satoshi Action Fund, highlighted their success in crafting and passing Bitcoin-related legislation in 21 states. With ongoing discussions in 10 other states, he believes that the Pennsylvania initiative could serve as a model for broader adoption of digital assets within state investment strategies.
Should the Pennsylvania Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act be enacted, Pennsylvania would become the first state in the nation to directly incorporate Bitcoin into its balance sheet, potentially signaling a shift toward more significant integration of digital assets into governmental economic strategies. Mike Cabell emphasized that the legislation sends a clear message: “Pennsylvania is ready to embrace bold, modern solutions to safeguard economic prosperity for generations to come.”
At the time of writing, Bitcoin’s price has retracted to the $89,000 level, yet it remains over 35% higher in the monthly timeframe. This trend underscores the potential volatility and growth in the cryptocurrency market, offering both opportunities and challenges for state-level financial strategies.
