Philippines Proposes Massive 10,000 Bitcoin Buy for Strategic Reserve
The Philippines has moved a step nearer to becoming a member of the ranks of countries stockpiling Bitcoin after Congressman Miguel Luis Villafuerte launched the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act within the Home of Representatives.
The invoice, filed through the Twentieth Congress’ first common session, proposes the federal government purchase 10,000 BTC over 5 years to function a long-term strategic reserve asset.
Proposed Legislation Would Lock Philippine Bitcoin Reserves for Two Many years
Home Invoice No. 421, introduced by Consultant Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte, proposes an annual acquisition of two,000 BTC by means of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The bought Bitcoin can be positioned in chilly storage services distributed throughout the nation and held in belief for at the least 20 years.
A Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Invoice has been filed by Rep. Miguel Villafuerte within the Home of Representatives. The Invoice seeks to buy 10,000 BTC over a 5-year interval. pic.twitter.com/0coTMQrVvh
— Dicki Devesa (@57twl57) August 22, 2025
In accordance with the invoice, the holdings may solely be offered below strict circumstances, equivalent to retiring sovereign debt, and not more than 10% of the reserve could also be liquidated in any two-year interval after the minimal holding interval expires.
As of November 2024, the Philippines’ debt had risen to ₱16.09 trillion ($285 billion), with home obligations accounting for practically 68% of the whole.
Supporters argue that diversifying nationwide reserves past gold and the U.S. greenback is important for monetary stability, significantly as different nations speed up their very own Bitcoin methods.
Underneath the invoice, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) would oversee this system, buying 2,000 BTC yearly and putting them into chilly storage services distributed throughout the nation.
The Bitcoin can be locked for at the least 20 years, stopping gross sales or swaps aside from restricted use in retiring authorities debt.
Underneath the proposed regulation, the BSP governor would oversee the reserve with assist from the Division of Finance, Division of Protection, and Securities and Change Fee (SEC).
The act mandates quarterly public “proof-of-reserve” audits verified by unbiased third events, with stories printed on-line to make sure transparency. The invoice additionally explicitly protects non-public property rights, affirming that people and companies stay free to purchase, maintain, and commerce Bitcoin with out authorities interference.
The Philippines, the invoice argues, can’t afford to be left behind. “It is important that the nation stockpile strategic belongings equivalent to Bitcoin to offer monetary stability and safeguard our nationwide curiosity,” the notice reads.
Proponents imagine that different governments following go well with may set off a worldwide wave of Bitcoin shopping for, additional constraining provide. With simply 21 million BTC ever to be mined, and practically 20 million already in circulation, advocates say early accumulation is important.
World Governments Management 2.29% of Bitcoin Provide, Information Reveals
Governments worldwide are more and more turning to Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, positioning it alongside gold and different important sources. Villafuerte pointed to the rising international context driving the measure.
In Asia, Hong Kong lawmakers have called for official BTC reserves, Bhutan operates state-owned mining services, and China has long held seized Bitcoin. Russia, below sanctions, has leaned on Bitcoin for commerce, with President Vladimir Putin calling it “unstoppable.”
Within the West, america and the UK are actually among the many largest sovereign holders by means of regulation enforcement seizures. Thailand, Malaysia, and a number of other European nations are additionally exploring reserve frameworks.
Information from CoinGecko shows that as of August 2025, 11 governments collectively management 480,196 BTC, value about $55.6 billion, equal to 2.29% of Bitcoin’s provide. The U.S. leads with 198,022 BTC ($22.9B), adopted by China with 190,000 BTC ($22B), principally tied to confiscations.
Supply: CoinGecko
The U.Ok. ranks third with 61,245 BTC ($7B). Smaller holders embody North Korea (13,562 BTC), Bhutan (10,769 BTC), and El Salvador (6,268 BTC).
El Salvador stays the flagship instance of sovereign adoption after making Bitcoin authorized tender in 2021. Whereas retail utilization has waned, the federal government continues to accumulate, recently adding 22 BTC to its holdings, now value over $725 million.
El Salvador has expanded its Bitcoin holdings as soon as once more, buying 5 further BTC amid a market dip that noticed the asset fall to $83,000. #ElSalvador #Bitcoinhttps://t.co/bVwm7Hs5s8
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) March 4, 2025
Argentina and Venezuela have additionally turned to Bitcoin and stablecoins to navigate inflation and greenback shortages.
Momentum is spreading to South America. On August 20, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies debated Bill 4501/24, which might set up a $19 billion Bitcoin reserve generally known as RESBit.
Philippines Ranks seventh Globally in Crypto Adoption Amid New Regulatory Push
Notably, the Philippines are third within the area in each buying and selling quantity and adoption, rating seventh worldwide in Chainalysis’ 2024 Geography of Crypto report.
The laws arrives because the Philippines continues to refine its stance on digital belongings. In April, the SEC launched its Strategic Sandbox (StratBox) program, a regulatory framework permitting crypto corporations to check new services in a managed atmosphere.
In December, the BSP completed Project Agila, a wholesale central financial institution digital forex (CBDC) trial aimed toward enhancing interbank settlement effectivity utilizing distributed ledger expertise. These initiatives recommend the nation is in search of a stability between innovation, regulation, and monetary stability.
On the identical time, regulators have ramped up enforcement. Earlier this month, the SEC issued an advisory in opposition to 10 main worldwide exchanges, together with OKX, KuCoin, Kraken, and Bybit, for working with out correct authorization within the nation.
Officers warned that unlicensed platforms expose Filipino traders to “important danger” and pledged to work with tech giants like Google, Apple, and Meta to limit entry.
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