US reserves status quo: Gold, oil and the emerging role of Bitcoin
The US government has long relied on gold and oil as reserve assets, but with the growing institutional adoption of Bitcoin (BTC), its potential role as a strategic reserve has increased substantially. This possibility and potential of the Bitcoin strategic reserve have seen a major tailwind as the new administration took charge in the US in January 2025.
While gold has historically backed monetary systems and oil remains a key economic and security asset, Bitcoin represents a new kind of digital reserve that challenges traditional financial paradigms.
The United States holds substantial reserves in gold and oil, but its Bitcoin holdings are comparatively small and primarily acquired through asset seizures. As of the third quarter of 2024, the US holds approximately 8,133.46 metric tons of gold, valued at around $789. 87 billion