- Senator Cynthia Lummis proposes a U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve of one million BTC, backed by support from top military generals, to counter economic threats from China.
- Military leaders see Bitcoin as a financial defense asset, resistant to manipulation and central control, amid ongoing U.S.-China economic tensions.
- The plan aligns with a broader push to secure U.S. dominance in digital assets, contrasting with China’s crypto bans and promotion of its centralized digital yuan.
US Senator Cynthia Lummis has revealed that key branches of the American military support her initiative to establish a strategic reserve of one million Bitcoins. Lummis framed this plan as a critical step for the United States to bolster its economic defenses amid intensifying tensions with China.
Speaking in a June 3 interview, Senator Lummis explained that several US military generals, particularly those with experience in Southeast Asia, recognize the strategic value of holding Bitcoin as part of America’s national security toolkit. “We’re engaged in an economic war with China,” Lummis said, “and just as we prepare for military conflicts, we must also prepare for battles fought with financial weapons.”
The senator emphasized that the initiative is designed to complement existing defense strategies by creating a “strategic Bitcoin reserve,” which she argues could serve as a safeguard against the economic warfare tactics China has employed. These tactics include currency manipulation to undercut American exports, intellectual property theft, and restrictions on critical technology exports, especially in semiconductors, which have military and technological significance.
This development comes against a backdrop of a complex US-China relationship marked by trade disputes and technological rivalry. The trade war that intensified during the Trump administration saw tariffs targeting China to reduce the significant US trade deficit and address unfair trade practices. Although some tariffs were later eased, China remains a central focus of American economic policy.
Bitcoin Reserve Plan Gains Military Support in US
Senator Lummis pointed to statements from military leaders who believe that owning Bitcoin would provide the US with a financial asset resistant to manipulation and centralized control, contrasting with traditional fiat currencies. This move aligns with former President Donald Trump’s vision of the US becoming the “world capital of crypto,” a status he claimed was essential to outpace China’s dominance in the digital currency space.
While China has banned all cryptocurrency transactions and ownership since 2021, citing concerns over financial stability and fraud, it continues to push forward with blockchain technology, notably through its government-backed digital yuan. This dual approach reflects Beijing’s cautious yet strategic embrace of digital assets, even as it clamps down on decentralized cryptocurrencies.
The US military’s tacit support for a Bitcoin reserve signals a broader recognition of cryptocurrency’s potential as a geopolitical tool. At the recent Bitcoin 2025 conference, US Vice President JD Vance highlighted the importance of maintaining America’s leadership in the crypto sphere to stay competitive in the evolving global financial landscape.
Senator Lummis’s proposal is still in its early stages, but it marks a significant shift in how policymakers view digital assets, not just as investment vehicles but as strategic reserves critical to national security. With the economic rivalry between the US and China showing no signs of abating, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin may soon take center stage in the next chapter of global power dynamics.
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