Central banks worldwide are reportedly exploring the idea of including Bitcoin, currently trading around $121,471, alongside gold as part of their reserve assets. This potential shift reflects a gradual move away from reliance on the US dollar and growing institutional interest in digital assets. As the global monetary landscape evolves, both Bitcoin and gold are increasingly viewed as essential tools for preserving financial stability.
One of the main drivers behind this trend is the declining confidence in the US dollar, whose share of global reserves has fallen from 60% in 2000 to 41% in 2025. This shift has sparked record inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for both gold and Bitcoin. Marion Laboure of Deutsche Bank noted that this shift mirrors the historical rise of gold as a preferred reserve asset.
In the United States, Bitcoin ETFs have seen explosive growth since early 2024, now holding 6.45% of the total Bitcoin supply valued at over $165 billion. These funds are becoming a key bridge between traditional and digital markets, similar to the role gold ETFs played two decades ago.
While some policymakers remain cautious, the broader acceptance of Bitcoin is expanding. According to Laboure, the discussions surrounding Bitcoin today resemble the policy debates around gold in the 20th century. Though neither Bitcoin nor gold is expected to replace the US dollar, both are emerging as complementary reserve assets, helping central banks diversify their holdings in response to shifting economic conditions.
As the line between traditional and digital finance continues to blur, central banks are reassessing how assets like Bitcoin and gold fit into their long-term strategies. This evolution signals a new era in global monetary policy one where digital and physical stores of value coexist as key pillars of financial resilience.