Bitcoin Reserve: A New Tool to Tackle U.S. Debt
1min read VanEck, a prominent asset management firm, has introduced an interactive tool to explore the potential role of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in managing the U.S. national debt. The tool is inspired by the BITCOIN Act, proposed by Senator Cynthia Lummis, which outlines a plan for the U.S. government to acquire up to 1 million Bitcoins (BTC) over five years, purchasing no more than 200,000 BTC per year. These assets would be held in a dedicated reserve for at least 20 years, with the aim of substantially reducing the nation’s debt.
VanEck’s new calculator allows users to simulate various hypothetical scenarios by adjusting different variables, including the debt and BTC’s growth rates, the average purchase price of Bitcoin, and the total quantity of Bitcoin held in reserve. The firm has also included an “optimistic projection” in their analysis. If the U.S. government follows the BITCOIN Act’s proposed path, accumulating 1 million BTC by 2029, VanEck suggests that this reserve could offset around $21 trillion of national debt by 2049. This would amount to 18% of total U.S. debt at that time.
The analysis is based on assumptions regarding the future growth rates of both U.S. debt and Bitcoin. VanEck has supposed a 5% annual growth rate for the national debt, which would see it rise from $36 trillion in 2025 to around $116 trillion by 2049. Similarly, Bitcoin is presumed to appreciate at a compounded rate of 25% per year. Its acquisition price is predicted to start at $100,000 per Bitcoin in 2025, potentially reaching $21 million per Bitcoin by 2049.
While the federal government considers the potential of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, interest is also rising at the state level. At least 20 U.S. states have introduced bills to create digital asset reserves. According to Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Assets Research at VanEck, state-level bills could collectively drive as much as $23 billion in Bitcoin purchases.
VanEck’s move comes as Bitcoin is receiving increasing political support. U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to positioning the U.S. as a global leader in cryptocurrency 
