Bitcoin Ownership by Country 2025

[madmax]

Around 463,000 BTC — about 2.3% of Bitcoin’s total supply — is held by governments worldwide, worth tens of billions of dollars. This gives Bitcoin a growing role in national asset strategies.
The United States

The US leads government Bitcoin holdings with nearly 200,000 BTC seized from dark web operations and ransomware cases. As of early 2025, these are worth $18–22 billion. In March 2025, a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve was created to hold these assets federally, marking a shift from selling seized crypto to treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
China

China holds over 190,000 BTC confiscated from the PlusToken scam, though their current status is unclear—some coins may have been liquidated, others remain dormant. Despite domestic crypto bans, China remains a major player in Bitcoin ownership.
Other Notable Holders
Bhutan

Using renewable hydropower, Bhutan’s sovereign fund has mined 12,000–13,000 BTC (worth $1.1–1.3 billion), representing up to 40% of its GDP. This green, centrally managed approach turns excess energy into sovereign wealth.
United Kingdom

The UK seized about 61,000 BTC (worth ~£5 billion) in a fraud investigation. Unlike typical sales of seized crypto, authorities are considering keeping it, potentially adding the UK to the top sovereign Bitcoin holders.
Ukraine

Amid the war with Russia, Ukraine used Bitcoin donations (~$70 million BTC) as real-time war funds. By mid-2025, holdings dropped to about 186 BTC, showing funds were spent quickly for defense and relief.
El Salvador

The first country to make Bitcoin legal tender, El Salvador accumulated over 6,000 BTC by early 2025. Despite repealing legal tender status under IMF pressure, the government continues daily Bitcoin purchases, keeping it central to their strategy.
Iran

Iran regulates Bitcoin mining through licensed miners who sell directly to the Central Bank, quietly building state-backed Bitcoin reserves to bypass sanctions and fund imports. Estimated mining activity accounts for 4%-7% of global hash rate.
Rumored and Emerging Players

UAE: Speculated to hold up to 420,000 BTC from crypto enforcement actions, though unconfirmed and debated.

Bulgaria: Reportedly seized 200,000+ BTC in 2017, but current holdings are unclear with contradictory statements.

Others: Finland (~90 BTC), Georgia (~66 BTC), Venezuela (~240 BTC) hold smaller amounts mainly from seizures.

Why Silent Accumulation Matters

Many countries quietly accumulate Bitcoin for strategic diversification, hedging against inflation, and geopolitical reasons. From Bhutan’s green mining to Iran’s sanctions workaround, Bitcoin is increasingly a state tool—whether loudly announced or kept secret. Governments worldwide are shaping a new economic layer where Bitcoin plays a key role.

[Nahiar806]

Hello everyone what's up

[Maxwell]

Did you hear the U.S. now has a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?

[alex]

Yeah, it’s wild. Almost 200,000 BTC—that’s a major shift from selling seized coins to actually treating them like gold reserves.

[Nahiar806]

Makes sense. Why sell an appreciating asset when you can hold it as strategic capital?

[Maxwell]

China still holds a massive chunk of Bitcoin from that PlusToken scam, right?

[Nahiar806]

Over 190,000 BTC. Some may have been sold, but a lot’s still untouched

[alex]

That’s ironic, considering they banned crypto—but they might be one of the biggest holders.

[Maxwell]

Bhutan mined over 12,000 BTC using hydropower.

[Nahiar806]

That’s nearly half their GDP in Bitcoin—crazy!