The Bumpy Road to a Bitcoin Reserve

The idea of a Bitcoin (BTC) reserve in the United States is gaining traction, but legal hurdles are slowing things down. Patrick Witt, who leads the White House Crypto Council, shared this update on the Crypto in America podcast. He mentioned that while the plan seems simple, some complex legal rules are causing delays. Different government agencies, like the Department of Justice and the Office of Legal Counsel, are involved in these discussions. Witt assured that the project is still a priority, despite the setbacks. Back in March 2025, President Donald Trump signed an order to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile. This reserve would include various cryptocurrencies, not just Bitcoin. However, the Bitcoin community has been vocal about their disappointment. They feel that the government is not doing enough to make this reserve a reality.The executive order stated that the government would not sell any Bitcoin it already has. Instead, it would only add to the reserve through seized assets. This means no new Bitcoin purchases on the open market, which has not gone down well with the community. Critics argue that this approach is not genuine and lacks real commitment. In July 2025, the Trump administration released a report on digital asset policy. Unfortunately, it did not provide any new details about the Bitcoin reserve, which frustrated the community even more. However, there was a glimmer of hope in August 2025 when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested budget-neutral strategies for acquiring Bitcoin. This could involve converting other reserve assets into Bitcoin or using gains from revalued metal holdings to buy more BTC. Despite the criticism, the idea of a nation-state Bitcoin reserve remains significant. It could be a major milestone for the world's first digital currency. However, the path forward is not straightforward, and the community's skepticism is understandable.