The U.S. risks losing ground as other nations move faster to accumulate Bitcoin for their reserves.
Experts warn that delaying BTC adoption could make future acquisitions more expensive and weaken America’s long-term financial positioning.
The U.S. is facing renewed scrutiny over its slow approach toward Bitcoin adoption. Analysts warn that delaying the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve could leave America behind competitors preparing to secure BTC at scale.
Bitcoin’s projection by some experts is expected to reach up to $1 million by 2033. Experts say U.S. indecision could prove costly in the next decade.
Is Bitcoin Adoption the Best Strategy Right Now?
Recently, Bitcoin saw a drop that wiped out over $1 trillion of BTC from the crypto market in six weeks. Higher rates, a stronger dollar, and fading Fed-cut expectations have pushed BTC down 25–30% from its October peak.
However, in general, Bitcoin has been performing incredibly well in the last decade. Over the last 10 years, the price of one Bitcoin has moved from $356 for one Bitcoin to around $92k. This is over a 25,000% increase in that period.
According to entrepreneur Mike Alfred, the U.S. is unlikely to begin accumulating Bitcoin for its proposed national reserve until foreign governments take action first. He believes Washington is waiting for “external pressure”, meaning other countries must start buying BTC before the U.S. feels compelled to respond.
A Global Race for Strategic Bitcoin Reserves
Alfred predicts Bitcoin will reach $1M by 2033, only slightly behind the more aggressive timelines given by ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. By that stage, Alfred expects most countries will treat Bitcoin as a strategic asset, similar to how gold reserves currently function.
While the U.S. waits, several nations are exploring or preparing BTC acquisition strategies. Pakistan, for instance, is reportedly preparing to purchase Bitcoin as part of its national reserves strategy. Analysts warn this could give early adopters such as Pakistan an advantage, especially if Bitcoin hits the $1M target.
The U.S. has already taken a preliminary step. In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the framework for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, intended to accumulate BTC using budget-neutral mechanisms. However, the reserve is not fully active or operational.
Should the U.S. Move Faster?
Industry analysts argue that slow action could put the U.S. at a significant disadvantage. Galaxy Digital’s Alex Thorn has suggested there is a “strong chance” the U.S. may announce its first BTC holdings before year-end if pressure continues to mount.
Bitcoin advocate Samson Mow has been more direct, urging U.S. officials to begin buying now rather than waiting for other nations to lead the way. His warning comes as several countries accelerate their plans to integrate Bitcoin into their financial strategies.