US Exploring Bitcoin Acquisition Without Taxpayer Costs: Bo Hines

Bo Hines, executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, said on Tuesday that the US is exploring ways to acquire Bitcoin without using taxpayer money.

Speaking at the Blockworks Digital Asset Summit 2025 about the administration’s approach, he said the initiative aligns with President Trump’s campaign promises while recognizing Bitcoin’s unique economic role.

The government is working with the Treasury Department and the Secretary of Commerce to explore Bitcoin accumulation. Their goal is to do this without using public funds, he added.

JUST IN – 🇺🇸 President Trump's Executive Director on digital assets: "We talked about ways of acquiring more Bitcoin in budget neutral ways."

We want "as much as we can get." 🚀 pic.twitter.com/zK8PyQK1Rw

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 18, 2025

“We delivered on the President’s promises that he made on the campaign trail,” he said. “The President was adamant about creating the [Strategic Bitcoin Reserve]. We wanted to make sure that we did it right in a way that respected Bitcoin for being so unique, and also gave credence to innovation and other spaces in the digital asset world,” Hines said during a panel discussion.

Bitcoin’s Legitimacy Grows in US Economic Policy

The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve marks a major shift in the US government’s approach to digital assets. Central banks and national reserves have traditionally held gold and foreign currencies. Now, Bitcoin’s growing role as a store of value has led the administration to see it as “digital gold.” This shift shows Bitcoin’s increasing importance in economic strategy.

“We look at Bitcoin, it’s not a security, it’s a commodity as intrinsic stored value that’s traditionally accepted,” Hines explained.

Government Eyes Bitcoin Expansion Without Raising Taxes

The administration’s plan to accumulate Bitcoin hinges on a budget-neutral strategy, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund purchases. While specific details on acquisition methods remain unclear, the government is exploring partnerships with the Treasury Department and the Secretary of Commerce to facilitate this effort.

Hines outlined the importance of accumulating digital assets without imposing additional financial burdens on taxpayers. “It’s something that’s imperative for the United States to have, retain, continue to build on.”

How Much Bitcoin Is Enough?

The idea of a national Bitcoin reserve has sparked debate among financial experts and policymakers.

While proponents argue that Bitcoin’s decentralized nature makes it an attractive hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, critics warn of its volatility and regulatory uncertainties. Nevertheless, the administration remains committed to increasing the nation’s holdings.

“I think it’s high time that our president started accumulating assets for the American people, which is what President Trump is doing, rather than taking it away,” Hines said. “And I think that’s one thing that we really wanted to make clear in this executive order.”

The scale of the planned reserve remains an open question, as Hines pointed out: “I’ve been asked all the time, it’s like, how much do you want? I said, well, that’s like asking a country, ‘How much gold do you want?’ Right? I mean, as much as we can get.”

As the administration works out the finer details of its plan, industry observers will be watching closely. The success or failure of the initiative could shape the future of Bitcoin in the US economy, and also its standing as a key asset in global finance.