London draws a red line : no national crypto reserve will be created

While several economic powers are considering integrating bitcoin into their reserves, the United Kingdom opts for a strategic break.

The United Kingdom is forging its own unique path in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital assets. Unlike several economic powers, including the United States, which is considering integrating bitcoin into its reserves, the British government has no plans to create a national crypto reserve, British Treasury confirmed at the FT Digital Asset Summit in London.

This decision sharply contrasts with the offensive approach adopted by the Trump administration, which has been actively discussing the possibility of adding bitcoin to U.S. reserves.

What does this choice reveal about the British crypto vision and what will be the implications for London’s place in the global digital ecosystem?

London draws a red line : no national crypto reserve

Speaking at the Digital Asset Summit organised by the Financial Times in London from May 6 to 7, 2025, the British Treasury’s Economic Secretary, Emma Reynolds, flatly ruled out the idea that the United Kingdom could be establishing a national crypto reserve.

Asked about the possibility of following the American momentum, Reynolds stated :

“This is not the plan for us. We do not think it is appropriate for our market.”

This official statement marks a clear refusal of any public bitcoin or other crypto storage strategy by the British state.

Such a stance clearly stands out from the current attitude in the United States, where the Trump administration adopts a openly crypto-friendly stance. By refusing to imitate this trend, the United Kingdom asserts a cautious and sovereign direction. Here are the key elements that structure this rejection.

By drawing this red line, the United Kingdom clearly indicates that it does not intend to transform its reserves into crypto instruments. This choice illustrates a stance of perceived responsibility that aims to preserve financial stability and national budgetary credibility in the face of a market still deemed too uncertain.

Another ambition : regulate and innovate rather than store

While the United Kingdom refuses to use bitcoin as a reserve asset, this does not mean disengagement from the crypto field. Emma Reynolds specified that the British government is actively studying the issuance of sovereign debt via blockchain technology.

“We are examining the potential to issue public debt using distributed ledger technologies (DLT),” she stated. A vendor selection procedure is already underway, with a goal of designation “by the end of summer,” showing a clear interest in the concrete use of Web3 technologies in market infrastructures.

In another area, the Economic Secretary revealed the establishment of a high-level working group between the United Kingdom and the United States, aimed at fostering regulatory cooperation on these assets. This bilateral body, described as a “regulatory forum,” will hold a meeting as early as June.

However, Reynolds emphasized that this collaboration does not mean systematic alignment with American or European approaches. She notably clarified that the United Kingdom will not be making the EU’s MiCA crypto regulatory framework, preferring an “outcome-based” approach integrated into the traditional financial services perimeter.

This strategic choice, based on the principle of “same risk, same regulation,” opens an intermediate path between American crypto activism and European normative rigor. It could enable the United Kingdom to position itself as a hub of regulated innovation, capable of attracting blockchain players while ensuring the stability of the financial system. It remains to be seen whether this hybrid stance, which favors controlled experimentation over direct investment, will be sufficient to keep London in the race for global crypto leadership.

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our "Read to Earn" program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.