Lummis proposes Bitcoin reserve to tackle US national debt

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By Tyler Matthews

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has put forth a provocative proposal that positions Bitcoin as a potential instrument for rectifying America’s considerable national debt. Her vision involves establishing a government-controlled Bitcoin reserve, which she suggests could alleviate the nation’s $37 trillion debt burden and foster long-term fiscal resilience. This idea, if implemented, could represent a significant paradigm shift in how sovereign nations manage their financial reserves and address macroeconomic challenges.

The core of Lummis’s proposal centers on the United States acquiring and holding one million Bitcoin tokens, a significant portion, approximately 5%, of the total available supply. This strategic accumulation, envisioned over a period of at least 20 years, could, according to her projections, offset nearly half of the national debt. Lummis describes this potential outcome as a “necessary fiscal reset,” aiming to create a more stable financial future for the country.

To initiate this ambitious plan, Lummis suggests leveraging existing federal holdings of Bitcoin. Assets already under government control, such as those seized by agencies like the U.S. Marshals Service, could serve as the initial tranche for the reserve. Subsequently, she proposes a gradual conversion of other government assets into Bitcoin to systematically expand the reserve’s holdings.

Lummis emphasizes that certain foundational steps for this initiative could be taken without requiring new legislation, utilizing existing executive powers. However, she acknowledges the critical need for a well-defined legal framework. This framework would be essential to safeguard the Bitcoin reserve from potential future administrations that might seek to liquidate it, thereby ensuring the policy’s long-term continuity and effectiveness as a national financial strategy.

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