A new analysis from China’s International Monetary Institute (IMI) suggests that Bitcoin is quietly gaining ground as a serious player in the global reserve system.
According to the state-backed research group, the cryptocurrency is beginning to shift from a speculative asset to a tool of strategic importance for central banks and sovereign institutions.
The IMI report argues that mounting U.S. fiscal pressures—such as rising deficits, ultra-loose monetary policy, and declining real yields on Treasury bonds—are pushing central banks to explore alternative reserve strategies. Traditionally, gold has been the go-to safe haven, but the paper highlights Bitcoin’s capped supply and decentralized design as increasingly appealing features for long-term reserve allocation.
The report even references indirect exposure by national entities, citing Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, which has gained Bitcoin exposure through its investments. While most central banks still avoid direct BTC holdings, the IMI points to such cases as early signs of shifting attitudes in high-level financial policy.
For countries battling inflation or currency devaluation, especially emerging economies, Bitcoin may offer a hedge against monetary instability, the report suggests. With global trust in the U.S. dollar beginning to erode, the IMI believes that Bitcoin’s profile as a “strategic reserve asset” will only grow stronger in the coming years.
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