Russia Says ‘Not the Time’ for Bitcoin Reserve but Door Is Open

Key Takeaways

• Russia has no immediate plans to establish a Bitcoin reserve.
• Finance Minister Anton Siluanov highlighted the risks of Bitcoin’s price fluctuations.
• Japan has also rejected the idea of a Bitcoin reserve, citing similar challenges.

Russia has decided against creating a Bitcoin (BTC) reserve in the foreseeable future, citing the asset’s historical price instability as a key deterrent.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov made the announcement during a lecture at the Financial University in Moscow, emphasizing the state’s reluctance to expose its reserves to such risks.

Russia Shelves Bitcoin Reserve Plans

While Bitcoin has delivered remarkable returns for early investors, the Russian Finance minister noted that the same volatility poses a reverse risk and cautioned against over-reliance on the asset.

However, Siluanov didn’t entirely rule out the idea of a strategic crypto reserve, suggesting that the proposal could be reconsidered in the future.

The Russian minister acknowledged the potential for state-level crypto investments but emphasized a prudent approach, stating, “We’ll see where things stand in five to ten years.”

Despite ruling out Bitcoin as a treasury reserve, Russia has embraced the crypto for cross-border transactions, using it as a tool to navigate international sanctions.

This dual approach reflects the government’s strategic use of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange rather than a store of value.

The hesitation to adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset highlights broader concerns among global powers.

Japan, for instance, has similarly dismissed the idea of a Bitcoin reserve, citing liquidity issues and unpredictable market behavior.

Bitcoin’s Volatility: A Barrier to Adoption as a Hedge

The notion of Bitcoin as a treasury hedge gained attention when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump proposed creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

However, Bitcoin’s history of extreme price swings continues to deter most nation-states from adopting it as a reliable hedge against economic instability.

While the asset has historically tripled or quadrupled its value during bull cycles, it has also suffered steep losses—sometimes exceeding 70%—in bear markets. These fluctuations challenge its viability as a stable reserve asset.

However, proponents argue that Bitcoin’s volatility could diminish as adoption grows. Currently, global crypto adoption remains below 10% , but broader integration may bring stability to its price movements.

MicroStrategy , a pioneer in using Bitcoin as a treasury hedge, exemplifies the potential benefits. Despite enduring significant losses during downturns, the company has historically rebounded with gains in subsequent cycles, driven by Bitcoin’s post-halving rallies.

Market experts suggest that widespread adoption by major economies, particularly the U.S., could help stabilize Bitcoin’s price and potentially eliminate its cyclical volatility.

Until then, however, the prospect of Bitcoin as a national reserve remains aspirational rather than practical.