Sweden Pushes Bitcoin Reserve Plan Amid Digital Currency Debate
Lawmakers argue Bitcoin could protect the economy and signal innovation as Sweden distances itself from CBDCs
Sweden may soon join the global push to hold Bitcoin as a national reserve asset, with lawmakers calling it a safeguard against inflation and a step toward financial innovation. Members of Parliament Dennis Dioukarev and David Perez of the Swedish Democrats submitted a proposal urging the government to explore building a strategic Bitcoin reserve. They argue the move would align Sweden with countries like the United States, which are already advancing in what they describe as a “digital arms race.”
The lawmakers suggest funding the reserve using seized Bitcoin but admit that determining who would manage the assets remains undecided. Sweden currently has no official Bitcoin holdings, though a 2024 law allows authorities to confiscate crypto alongside other luxury assets. Advocates of national Bitcoin reserves believe such measures could pave the way toward Bitcoin becoming a global reserve currency.
Dioukarev and Perez emphasized that Bitcoin, unlike gold or fiat currencies tied to geopolitical risks, offers a hedge against global instability. They argued that holding Bitcoin alongside Sweden’s traditional reserves could reduce exposure to political and economic shocks. “Owning Bitcoin signals that a nation is open to digital innovation,” they said, adding that it could also help protect against inflation due to Bitcoin’s fixed supply.
The proposal comes as the Swedish Democrats, the second-largest party in the 2022 elections, wield influence over the current ruling coalition. Their support gives the initiative political weight, even though it remains at an early stage.
At the same time, the MPs want assurances that Sweden will not alter its central bank laws to introduce a central bank digital currency (CBDC). While Sweden has tested a digital krona in pilot projects, the lawmakers insist that avoiding a CBDC would preserve financial privacy and reduce risks of government overreach.
With Bitcoin now valued on par with silver and surpassing global giants like Tesla and Amazon, the proposal signals that Sweden could be positioning itself for a disruptive shift in the global financial order.
