U.S. Has Many Ways to Establish Bitcoin Reserve: Bo Hines

Highlights:

• The U.S. government is exploring ways to increase Bitcoin holdings without public funds.
• The Bitcoin Act of 2025 could unlock billions by updating gold certificate valuations.
• Tariffs could be used as a new revenue source to fund Bitcoin reserve.

The U.S. government is looking into creative ways to increase its Bitcoin holdings without using public money, said Bo Hines, who leads the Trump administration’s Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets. These ideas included using money from tariffs and changing the value of the government’s gold reserves. He also said that any plan to get Bitcoin must not add to the budget, and the government is confident they can find good ways to make it work.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 President Trump's Executive Director Bo Hines said the US may buy #Bitcoin using revenue from tariffs. pic.twitter.com/JxnYeFx170

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) April 15, 2025

Bitcoin Act of 2025 Could Unlock Billions

“We obviously have made it very clear that we want to acquire as much as we can get,” Hines said. “It stipulates that we have to acquire Bitcoin in budget-neutral ways that don’t cost a taxpayer a dime.” He also mentioned that agencies like the Department of Commerce and the Treasury are talking and working together through a special group.

One popular idea being considered is connected to the Bitcoin Act of 2025, led by Senator Cynthia Lummis. The bill suggests updating the value of old gold certificates that the US Treasury still holds. These certificates are still valued at about $43 an ounce, even though gold is selling for over $3,216 today. Updating the valuation to reflect current market prices could free up billions in extra capital. The government could then use that capital to invest in Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset.

Hines mentioned that the proposal is still being reviewed by Congress. He said, “We’ll see how many co-sponsors she can get” as it moves forward. However, he added that the government isn’t focusing on just one option.

The Bitcoin Reserve was first revealed in a March executive order by President Donald Trump. At the start, it will include crypto assets taken in federal legal cases. However, the larger goal is to find ways to expand the reserve without adding to the national budget.

Hines Proposes Using Tariff Revenue to Build Bitcoin Reserve

Tariffs, which have become more important due to increased US-China tensions and protectionist policies, are also being considered. Hines suggested that future tariff collections could provide a new source of external revenue. This money could be used to buy Bitcoin without just rearranging existing federal assets.

Further, Hines said:

“We’re looking at many creative ways, whether it be from tariffs, whether it be from something else. I mean, there’re literally countless ways in which you can do this. “Everything’s on the table.”

The strategy reflects a broader vision that Hines has shared, with his recent comments aligning with what he said at the Blockworks Digital Asset Summit 2025. There, he called Bitcoin a commodity with inherent value and stated it should be treated as a strategic asset. He also said that building national reserves in digital assets is “crucial for the United States.”

Moreover, Hines confirmed that the White House is working on a comprehensive digital asset policy framework, which is expected to be released by late July or August. It will provide guidance on various crypto topics, including tokenization, staking, stablecoin adoption, and clearer regulations.