Swedish lawmakers are pushing for the country to join the growing trend of nations exploring Bitcoin reserves. They’re urging Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson to consider adding Bitcoin to Sweden’s national assets.
Lawmakers’ Proposals
Several members of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag) have written to the finance minister advocating for a Bitcoin reserve. They point to the US government’s initiative to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) as a key example.
Dennis Dioukarev, a member of the Finance Committee, suggested that Sweden could follow suit without spending taxpayer money. His proposal involves transferring Bitcoin seized from criminal activities to the Swedish central bank. He highlighted the global trend of countries holding onto, or not selling, their confiscated Bitcoin.
Rickard Nordin, another Riksdag member, also sent a similar letter, emphasizing Bitcoin’s potential as a store of value, a hedge against inflation, and a tool for financial freedom in repressive regimes. He cited examples of other countries, including Brazil, Italy, and the Czech Republic, considering similar initiatives.
A Global Trend
The idea of national Bitcoin reserves is gaining traction worldwide. Many US states are also pursuing their own SBRs, and this movement is challenging Sweden’s traditionally conservative approach to foreign exchange reserves, which primarily consist of foreign currencies and gold.
Both Dioukarev and Nordin gave the finance minister deadlines to respond to their proposals.
