As the digital age races forward, countries are no longer just stockpiling gold or foreign reserves. Now Bitcoin has entered into the country’s choice of holding it in some way. Not all governments acquired it the same way, though. Some built reserves through policy, others through prosecution, and in North Korea’s case, it came from theft.
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UAE: 420,000 BTC (Rumored)
Rumors continue to swirl around the United Arab Emirates, where multiple reports peg its Bitcoin holdings at an astounding 420,000 BTC. If accurate, that’s a chest worth $35 billion – more than double the United States.
United States: 198,109 BTC (Confirmed)
Across the Atlantic, the United States is building a Bitcoin reserve of its own. The government currently holds about 198,109 BTC, a pile worth approximately $16.93 billion, according to Arkham Intelligence. They were seized during criminal investigations – everything from darknet markets to fraud rings.
The U.S. has taken this effort further by launching a formal Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This move is aligned with President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance and could expand significantly under the BITCOIN Act, which proposes acquiring up to 200,000 BTC every year for the next five years. The strategy marks a turning point in how seriously the nation views digital currencies.
China: 194,000 BTC (Rumored)
China once sat near the top of global crypto holdings with a stack of 194,000 BTC, largely obtained from the massive 2019 PlusToken scam bust. That stash was estimated to be worth $16.60 billion. However, the coins are being routed through mixers and sent to exchanges, leading many to believe China has liquidated its entire position.
If true, this would effectively drop China from the rankings, removing a major player from the list of governmental holders. Given Beijing’s strict anti-crypto policies, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the country chose to cash out entirely rather than keep the asset on its books.
UK: 61,245 BTC (Confirmed)
The United Kingdom holds approximately 61,245 BTC, worth around $5.24 billion, according to Arkham Intelligence. Like the United States, the British government’s stash comes from enforcement actions and seizures tied to illegal activity. The approach signals a growing capacity to tackle cybercrime and manage confiscated assets.
With these holdings, the UK is not just punishing offenders – it’s unintentionally building one of the world’s more sizable national Bitcoin portfolios.
North Korea: 13,332 BTC (Alleged)
Shocking as it may be, one of the world’s most isolated nations has quietly grown into a top Bitcoin holder, worth over a billion dollars. This wasn’t done with fanfare or formal policy, but rather through the cyber exploits of the infamous Lazarus Group.
The name Lazarus Group now echoes across global crypto circles – not for a noble cause, but for the largest digital heist on record. In February 2025, the hacking collective stole a jaw-dropping $1.4 billion from the Bybit exchange, putting North Korea’s crypto strategy front and center. With this heist, the group’s Bitcoin wallet swelled to 13,332 BTC, roughly $1.14 billion in value.
This massive hack was not an isolated event but the result of years of calculated attacks on crypto platforms. These stolen tokens are believed to be under state control, forming a significant part of North Korea’s strategy to skirt international sanctions and fund controversial programs.
Ukraine: 46,351 BTC (Confirmed)
Ukraine’s crypto holdings stand at roughly 46,351 BTC, valued at $3.98 billion. Unlike most countries, Ukraine has actively embraced cryptocurrency both as an investment and a part of its tech innovation agenda. This significant reserve has partly come from private donations during the wartime period and proactive crypto engagement by public institutions.
As Ukraine continues to integrate crypto into its economic recovery efforts, its stance represents a rare case of a government adopting digital assets with a genuine interest in long-term development rather than reactionary policy.
Bhutan: 13,029 BTC (Confirmed)
Far from the noise of global financial centers, Bhutan has quietly mined its way to a sizable Bitcoin treasury. Since 2019, the Himalayan kingdom’s sovereign investment arm has accumulated about 13,029 BTC, now worth around $1.12 billion.
Leveraging its hydroelectric power for clean and cost-efficient mining, Bhutan stands out as a rare example of a country using local resources for crypto accumulation. It hasn’t just happened passively – this is part of the nation’s broader development strategy.
El Salvador: 6,069 BTC (Confirmed)
El Salvador currently holds 6,069 BTC, valued at $520 million. As the first nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, the country made headlines with its “1 BTC per day” policy, funded by taxpayers. But that program is coming to a halt by July 2025, as part of efforts to secure a $1.4 billion loan from the IMF.
The government isn’t slowing down just yet – buying 40 BTC in the past 30 days in an apparent move to stockpile before the deadline hits. The country sits on an unrealized profit of $119.77 million, showing that the controversial bet has, for now, worked out.
Bitcoin Holdings Split Across the Board
Bitcoin ownership isn’t just about countries. According to Bitcoin Treasuries, ETFs have taken the lead in institutional Bitcoin storage, now holding 1,304,293 BTC – worth over $111 billion. That’s more than 6% of all Bitcoin in existence. This shows how far mainstream finance has embraced the asset.
Public companies are next in line with 654,219 BTC – valued at $55.6 billion. Countries trail behind with 529,705 BTC ($45 billion). The numbers are revealing: while governments talk about regulation, businesses are accumulating.
Private companies have 381,560 BTC ($32.4B), mining companies keep 90,249 BTC ($7.68B), and DeFi projects collectively own 166,330 BTC ($14.1B). Altogether, these groups hold about 3% of the total Bitcoin supply, proving that digital assets are no longer on the fringe – they’re at the center.
What It All Means for the World
The influence of government-held Bitcoin is growing fast. While El Salvador and Bhutan seem to grasp what they’re sitting on, most governments appear indifferent, often moving or selling coins without much strategy. Germany recently dumped nearly 50,000 BTC, and the U.S. transferred 19799 to Coinbase without fanfare.
Many countries still see Bitcoin as seized property rather than a strategic resource. However, the numbers don’t lie. As digital assets continue reshaping finance, those holding Bitcoin might soon find themselves with more than just coins – they may be holding leverage over the future of global money.
Read also: What Happens When All Bitcoins Are Mined?
