Brazilian lawmaker proposes $18 billion Bitcoin reserve initiative

The Bitcoin Sovereign Strategic Reserve would allocate up to $18.6 billion from the country's international reserves.

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

Brazilian lawmaker Eros Biondini introduced legislation proposing the creation of a Bitcoin (BTC) Sovereign Strategic Reserve (RESBit) with an allocation of up to $18.6 billion — equivalent to 5% of Brazil’s international reserves as of September.

According to the bill, the RESBit will diversify Brazil’s Treasury assets, protect international reserves against exchange fluctuations and geopolitical risks, and act as backing for the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the Drex.

The bill aims to “modernize the technological and finance management in Brazil” in an effort to become more competitive in the global digital economy.

The legislation points to the success of countries that have integrated blockchain technology into national finance management, such as El Salvador, the US approval of exchange-traded funds (ETF), the Chinese digital yuan, Dubai’s efforts to become a crypto hub, and the MiCA regulation in the European Union.

It also noted that recent years have established crypto as a viable asset class despite the high volatility, especially after it hit a new all-time high market cap of $3.5 trillion.

According to the document:

“Although volatile, data indicates that crypto is consolidating as a legitimate asset class. Countries that adopt strategies to integrate them economically will sow significant benefits in the medium and long terms.”

Under the bill, Brazil’s Central Bank and Ministry of Finance will be responsible for the custody of BTC and would be required to report RESBit’s acquisitions, performance, security, and risks every six months.

Educational push

In addition to diversifying the country’s international reserves, the bill also mentions fostering research and development related to blockchain.

The educational push includes training public agents to act on the RESBit initiative, creating graduation programs tied to blockchain, crypto, and cybersecurity at public education institutions, and incentivizing startups to create crypto-related projects.

Biondini said:

“The formation of RESBit is a strategic measure that positions Brazil at the leadership of the new digital economy, reducing economic risks and amplifying the technological and financial development opportunities.”

According to Chainalysis’ latest report, Brazil ranks 10th in the global crypto adoption index and boasts the second-most significant amount received in crypto between 2022 and 2023.

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