Switzerland Explores Bitcoin Reserves for Financial Innovation

Switzerland has initiated discussions on establishing national Bitcoin reserves, following its longstanding practice of holding substantial gold reserves valued at $27 billion. 

A new proposal published by the Swiss Federal Chancellery calls for the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to include Bitcoin alongside gold as part of its reserve assets.

Switzerland Wants to Join the Bitcoin Reserves Race

The proposal, driven by a group of crypto advocates, requires a legislative amendment to mandate this change. To proceed, the initiative must gather 100,000 valid signatures from Swiss citizens by June 30, 2025. 

If successful, the Swiss Federal Assembly will evaluate the proposal, potentially advancing Switzerland’s position as a leader in cryptocurrency adoption.

Switzerland regularly holds public referendums to decide on legislative matters, emphasizing the country’s commitment to direct democracy. 

“If one country implements a Bitcoin strategic reserve, you can kiss goodbye to your 4 year cycles. I already laid this out in January and assumed an adoption cycle. Think 2002 big tech,” said crypto entrepreneur Tyler Durden. 

The SNB has historically expressed reservations about cryptocurrencies. However, proponents of the initiative argue that Bitcoin could serve as a hedge against inflation and bolster Switzerland’s reputation as a hub of financial innovation. 

Currently, the SNB’s reserves are diversified across fiat currencies and approximately 1,040 tons of gold.

More Countries Want to Add Bitcoin to Its National Reserves

Switzerland’s exploration aligns with a broader global trend of considering Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. In the US, discussions around establishing a federal Bitcoin reserve are gaining traction. Projections from VanEck suggest such a reserve could reduce the US national debt by 36% by 2050. 

Also, major politicians like Senator Cynthia Lummis have advocated for accumulating 1 million Bitcoin to strengthen financial stability.

“2025 will be the year for Bitcoin and digital assets. With David Sacks as Crypto Czar, this will be the most pro-digital asset administration ever! I look forward to working closely with David Sacks to pass comprehensive digital asset legislation and my strategic Bitcoin reserve,” Senator Lummis recently wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 

Elsewhere, Japanese lawmaker Satoshi Yamada has called for the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). Similarly, Russian lawmakers have proposed establishing a Bitcoin reserve to Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, citing its potential to enhance financial resilience.

Meanwhile, several cities and states have already implemented Bitcoin reserve strategies. Vancouver’s City Council recently approved a plan to diversify its financial reserves by incorporating BTC, addressing fiat currency volatility. 

As Switzerland embarks on its signature collection phase, the initiative marks another step in the evolving conversation about Bitcoin’s role in global financial systems. 

If passed, the proposal could signal a significant shift in how national reserves are managed in the digital age.