Czech Republic Considers $7.3B Bitcoin Investment as Global Adoption Rises

Changpeng Zhao is once again stirring discussions on national Bitcoin adoption. The Czech Republic’s central bank has proposed allocating 5% of its reserves—around $7.3 billion—into Bitcoin, potentially securing over 71,000 BTC at current prices. If approved, this would be one of the largest state-level Bitcoin acquisitions.

Zhao has long predicted that governments would move from passive observation to actively considering Bitcoin as a reserve asset. His claim that the race for sovereign Bitcoin holdings has begun is increasingly reflected in global policymaking.

Several nations are already exploring similar initiatives. Swiss lawmakers recently debated integrating Bitcoin into the national constitution. In Hong Kong, legislators have discussed using the Exchange Fund to hold BTC. Chile is forming a congressional committee to assess Bitcoin’s role in national reserves.

Once considered unconventional, the idea of governments holding Bitcoin is gaining legitimacy amid shifting economic conditions and uncertainties in traditional financial systems. Beyond profit, Bitcoin is now being evaluated as a strategic financial tool.

As of January 2025, the U.S. leads global Bitcoin holdings with approximately 207,189 BTC ($21.48 billion), primarily acquired through law enforcement seizures such as Silk Road and Bitfinex-related cases. China follows with 194,000 BTC ($20.11 billion), largely obtained from the PlusToken Ponzi scheme. The U.K. ranks third with 61,000 BTC ($6.32 billion), mostly seized from cybercrime operations.

With increasing government interest and adoption, Bitcoin’s role as a sovereign asset appears to be expanding, setting the stage for further institutional and national-level investments.