23 countries now hold over 458,000 Bitcoin in government reserves

Government reserves of Bitcoin have surged to over 458,000 BTC, with 23 countries now holding the cryptocurrency as part of their financial strategies. According to estimates by the Bitcoin Policy Institute and River, this marks a significant increase from just two countries in 2016. Analyst Willy Woo highlighted an interesting imbalance: while only about 5% of the global population owns Bitcoin, 8% of countries have adopted strategies to accumulate or hold the asset. This suggests that Bitcoin is becoming a more prominent tool at the national level than among individual investors.

The number of countries holding Bitcoin has grown steadily over the years. In 2016, only two countries had Bitcoin on their balance sheets, but by 2025, that number had risen to 23. The latest additions in 2025 include Brazil, Czechia, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. These countries acquired Bitcoin through various methods, such as direct purchases, sovereign funds, state mining, and confiscations.

The United States leads the list with 328,372 BTC, all obtained through seizures. The United Kingdom follows with 61,245 BTC, also from confiscations, while the UAE holds 30,382 BTC through a combination of sovereign funds and mining. Other notable holders include China, El Salvador, Norway, and Bhutan. The methods of acquisition vary widely, with some countries using confiscations, others through sovereign funds or state mining, and a few through donations or banking sectors.

In 15 of the 23 countries, the policy regarding Bitcoin is focused on accumulation or holding. These include El Salvador, Norway, Bhutan, Czechia, Argentina, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Iran, Oman, and Russia. Most of these countries have reserves estimated at just over one BTC, often obtained through state mining. The remaining eight countries, including the UK, China, and Finland, hold confiscated coins but have not announced a formal Bitcoin strategy.