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Michael Saylor proposes a bold vision: the United States should acquire 20% of the circulating bitcoins. During a speech at CPAC, he claimed that such a strategy could not only strengthen the dollar but also allow for the repayment of the national debt. Behind this financial ambition lies a geopolitical struggle where each major power seeks to assert itself in the digital economy of tomorrow.
Bitcoin: The new gold standard of the 21st century?
Michael Saylor does not mince his words. For him, bitcoin is not a crypto like the others. It is an “issuer-less asset”, insensitive to the whims of states or companies.
By snapping his fingers, he claims that holding 4 to 6 million bitcoins (or 20% of the total supply) would allow the United States to “repay the national debt.” A provocative calculation: at current prices, this reserve would be worth $392 billion. Peanuts compared to the $34 trillion American debt? Perhaps. But Saylor bets on future appreciation.
However, the analogy with oil strikes home. The U.S. strategic reserve of crude (395 million barrels) is valued at only $29 billion. A trifle compared to bitcoin. Why? Because digital gold, unlike oil, is not consumed. It accumulates. And unlike physical gold, it can be transferred with a click. A key advantage in a world where, according to Saylor, “capital is flowing from physical to digital.”
But the real danger, he insists, is geopolitical. “You wouldn’t want the Saudis, Russians, or Chinese to buy it first.” A silent race has begun. The United States, if they lag, risk losing their monetary hegemony. A vision that recalls the Gold Rush of the 19th century… but in dematerialized form.
MicroStrategy’s Strategy: the laboratory of a revolution
Behind Saylor’s striking statements lies a testing ground: MicroStrategy. The company, recently renamed to embody a “mother strategy“, already holds 190,000 bitcoins (worth $47 billion). Its portfolio shows a profit of 51%, and its shares have risen by 360% in a year. A success that validates its thesis: Bitcoin is a “cyberspace” where the economy of tomorrow is being invented.
But how to convince Washington? Saylor plays on two fronts. First, technological urgency. “One billion AIs will think a million times a second. They will use digital money,” he asserts. Then, sovereignty. Bitcoin, according to him, allows “an individual [to become] more powerful than the state.” A libertarian philosophy that attracts 12 American states, which have already invested $330 million in his strategy.
One obstacle remains: regulatory skepticism. When asked if he would include other cryptos in a national reserve, Saylor deflects. “Bitcoin has reached escape velocity,” he argues. Translation: altcoins are distractions. Only BTC dominates, and deserves to be treated as a strategic commodity.
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Fascinated by Bitcoin since 2017, Evariste has continuously researched the subject. While his initial interest was in trading, he now actively seeks to understand all advances centered on cryptocurrencies. As an editor, he strives to consistently deliver high-quality work that reflects the state of the sector as a whole.
DISCLAIMER
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.