The Trump administration has unveiled plans to acquire significant amounts of Bitcoin, focusing on methods that will not impact taxpayers. Bo Hines, Executive Director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, spoke about the initiative during the 2025 Blockworks Digital Asset Summit.
Prioritizing Bitcoin’s Unique Status
Hines emphasized that the initiative stems from President Trump’s vision to treat Bitcoin not just as a financial asset, but as a strategic commodity. “The President was adamant about creating the SBR. We wanted to make sure that we did it right in a way that respected Bitcoin for being so unique and also gave credence to innovation and other spaces in the digital asset world,” he said.
The administration views Bitcoin as fundamentally different from other digital assets. Hines clarified its position by highlighting Bitcoin’s intrinsic value. “Bitcoin, it’s not a security, it’s a commodity. It has intrinsic stored value, it’s traditionally accepted. It has, as David likes to describe, the immaculate conception. There’s no issuer,” he explained.
Collaboration and Leadership in the Crypto Space
Appointed by Trump to head the Crypto Council, Hines is working closely with David Sacks, the White House’s crypto and AI czar. Together, they are steering efforts to integrate digital asset innovation into the broader U.S. economic strategy.
Hines likened Bitcoin’s importance to gold, stating, “It’s something that’s imperative for the United States to have, retain, continue to build on.”
Acquisition Plans with a Fiscal Focus
One of the central challenges is how to accumulate Bitcoin without straining the national budget. Hines said the administration is exploring “budget-neutral” solutions—meaning strategies that do not add to federal spending or burden taxpayers.
Trump’s Crypto Council is coordinating with the Treasury Department and the Secretary of Commerce to devise feasible acquisition pathways. While specific plans have not yet been made public, the intention is clear: acquire as much Bitcoin as possible. “That’s like asking a country, how much gold do you want? Right? I mean, as much as we can get,” Hines commented.
Treasury Backing and Long-Term Vision
The policy direction is supported by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has previously expressed enthusiasm for Bitcoin. Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box earlier this month, Bessent confirmed that discussions were underway, but emphasized a first step: halting further selloffs of Bitcoin already seized by the government.
Bessent noted that protecting existing reserves is a priority before new acquisitions are made. However, the larger goal is to develop a crypto reserve that includes—but is not limited to—Bitcoin.
While Bitcoin remains at the heart of the initiative, there is an openness to including other digital assets in the reserve. This reflects a broader, strategic approach to crypto infrastructure and innovation under Trump’s administration.