US and Switzerland Advance Bitcoin Reserves as JPMorgan Tests Blockchain for Bonds

18.05.2025 128 times read 4 Comments

USA and Switzerland Build Bitcoin Reserves – JPMorgan Tests Blockchain for Government Bonds

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has taken a historic step by signing an Executive Order in March 2025 to establish a "strategic Bitcoin reserve." This reserve is composed of confiscated Bitcoins, which must be held long-term, with the possibility of additional purchases as long as they remain budget-neutral. Furthermore, the states of New Hampshire and Arizona have passed laws allowing a portion of public funds to be invested in Bitcoin. In Switzerland, an initiative committee is pushing to require the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to hold part of its currency reserves in Bitcoin. The collection period for the necessary 100,000 signatures runs until the end of June 2026, presenting a significant challenge. (Source: Blockchain Hero, citing CVJ.CH)

  • The Trump administration is positioning Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
  • Switzerland is considering a public initiative to integrate Bitcoin into its national reserves.

Infobox: The USA and Switzerland are pioneering new financial policies by increasingly relying on Bitcoin as a strategic reserve.

JPMorgan Conducts Public Blockchain Test for US Government Bonds

JPMorgan has, for the first time, traded a tokenized US government bond fund over the public Ondo Chain Testnet. Payment settlement was handled by the new JPM unit, Kinexys Digital Payments. Previously, JPMorgan had only conducted blockchain transactions on private networks. This latest test highlights the growing importance of public blockchains for transparency, decentralization, security, and liquidity. Partners in this pilot project included Chainlink and Ondo Finance. (Source: Blockchain Hero, citing CVJ.CH)

  • First public blockchain test for US government bonds by JPMorgan.
  • Integration of DeFi elements into the traditional financial world.

Infobox: JPMorgan’s test on the Ondo Chain signals a move towards opening traditional financial products to decentralized technologies.

Crypto Valley Grows Despite International Competition

The region of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, known as "Crypto Valley," remains an attractive location for blockchain companies. In the past year, the number of resident firms increased by 14% to 1,749, according to a report by Zug-based venture capitalist CV VC. However, industry representatives warn of growing competition from Asia and the Middle East, which are offering increasingly attractive conditions. In Switzerland, lengthy processes, regulatory uncertainties, and new international requirements are seen as challenges. (Source: Blockchain Hero, citing CVJ.CH)

  • Crypto Valley remains a leader but faces pressure from international competitors.
  • Regulatory uncertainties are slowing growth potential.

Infobox: Despite 14% growth, Crypto Valley faces new challenges from global competitors.

Solana Dominates Web3 in Q1 2025

Solana has established itself as the leading smart contract blockchain in the first quarter of 2025, directly competing with Ethereum. The network impresses with high transaction speeds, low fees, and a monolithic architecture where all applications run on a single layer. Solana led in key metrics such as active wallets, NFT trading, and mobile applications. However, Ethereum remains dominant in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) sector. (Source: Blockchain Hero, citing CVJ.CH)

  • Solana offers a better user experience and performance than many competitors.
  • Ethereum remains the leader in DeFi.

Infobox: In Q1 2025, Solana is considered the strongest Ethereum alternative, setting new standards in user numbers and performance.

CryptoPunks: NFT Icon Changes Hands for $20 Million

The NFT collection CryptoPunks, consisting of 10,000 unique characters, has achieved a trading volume of over $3 billion since its creation. The floor price is 46 Ethereum, equivalent to over $120,000. The Infinite Node Foundation has acquired the IP rights to CryptoPunks for $20 million from Yuga Labs and has provided $25 million in foundation capital to support exhibitions, research, and educational projects. (Source: Blockchain Hero, citing CVJ.CH)

  • CryptoPunks are considered pioneers of digital art culture.
  • The Infinite Node Foundation aims to further establish the collection in the traditional art market.

Infobox: With the sale of IP rights for $20 million, CryptoPunks are moving closer to the established art market.

Tiger Royalties Acquires Blockchain Subnet in the Bittensor Network

Tiger Royalties and Investments Plc has acquired its own dedicated subnet in the Bittensor network, a proof-of-stake blockchain. The "Tiger Subnet" will issue its own Alpha token with a fixed supply of 21 million tokens, similar to the native cryptocurrency TAO. TAO currently has a market capitalization of about $3.3 billion, with daily transactions often reaching $100 million. Tiger benefits from dual revenue streams: TAO block rewards and a share of Tiger Alpha emissions and transaction fees. (Source: Blockchain Hero, citing Investing.com Deutsch)

  • Miners and validators can stake Tiger Alpha and participate in governance.
  • CEO Jonathan Bixby sees great potential for the data economy in acquiring a subnet.

Infobox: With the Tiger Subnet, Tiger Royalties is expanding its position in the decentralized AI sector and focusing on innovative revenue sources.

The Economist: US Crypto Industry Described as a "Corrupt Swamp"

The British business magazine The Economist sharply criticizes the US crypto industry in a leading article, calling it the ultimate "Swamp Asset." The term, originally used by Donald Trump for politically tainted institutions, here stands for corruption and lack of transparency in the crypto sector. Major US crypto companies are accused of manipulating the regulatory environment in their favor through lobbying, personal contacts with politicians, and financial influence. The article warns that the industry is increasingly behaving like traditional financial players, betraying its original ideals of decentralization and transparency. (Source: Blockchain Hero, citing BTC Echo)

  • Multi-million dollar campaign donations and lobbying groups with former government officials are cited as examples.
  • These developments threaten trust in the market.

Infobox: The Economist sees the US crypto industry on the path to an opaque power system that contradicts its founding ideals.

BTCS Invests $57.8 Million in Ethereum

Publicly traded blockchain company BTCS plans to invest up to $57.8 million in Ethereum (ETH) as part of a major infrastructure and staking expansion. The financing is being carried out together with ATW Partners via convertible bonds, starting with an initial tranche of $7.8 million. The bonds carry a 6% interest rate and include nearly 1.9 million warrants at a price of $2.75. CEO Charles Allen personally supported the measure with over $290,000. (Source: Blockchain Hero, citing Cryptodnes.bg)

  • BTCS is betting on the long-term utility of Ethereum and aims to increase staking returns.
  • After the announcement, BTCS shares rose by 5.5%, although they have fallen by 15% since the beginning of the year.

Infobox: BTCS is one of the few publicly traded companies to use Ethereum as a central financial instrument, setting an example for the industry.

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okay so i was reading peoples coments here an saw sum1 talking about how Switzerland is allways ahead with regullations an banks an stuff, but no1 reely said nothin abot the part where New Hampshire an Arizona can put there local gov money in bitcoin now!! I mean i dont even know who desided that was a hot idea - woudnt they lose all the money if price goes down? Last year i tried bitcoin but my wallet just locked and support never replyed so how they going to handle that with tax payer cash?? also the bit in the artikle about signatures for switzerland thing, it says they need 100,000 but like, what do they do if they get 99,999 do they drop everything?? seems a litle crazy lol. also, not even clear to me how they "confiscate" bitcoin, i thot the hole point was no1 cud get ur coins unless u lose the passwerd or sumthin haha. the stuff about states buyin bitcoin – Will they print more dollars to buy or just swap it like baseball cards. wish i cud figure this but gets real confusin. just kno that if trump says its gud its probly gonne up or maybe not, who knos with all these rules. Reply if u got this far i still dont get why they wud but public money in internet coins anyway.
lol i seen some one before ask why they put muney in internet coins but honestly the thing that gets me is these nfts, aint that just like a jpeg on a internet? but now theres this whole thing with crytpopunks for 20 milion! i never undersood why a lil pixel face is more expensive then my car (or my moms becuse i dont drive). Also i read that some foundation wants to do exibitions an whatnot with them but like would anyone actualy go see… what? A computer screen with punk on it? Idk man. Like if Van Gogh painted on iphones maybe but its just lines.

Also the Economist says its all some "swamp" but too be real, wallstreet and banks be worse i think. Atleast with crytpo you can see the data if you want, banks just say "trust us" lol. When they talk about fendations and lobbists in usa i think lol, so what new? Politicans always get cash to push stuuf, crypto or not. They act like crypto people invented donateing.

One more thing, about this tiger subnet. I tried to look up what TAO is one time, just get a bunch of stuff about philosophy instead of coins so very confusing, maybe they shuld just call it tigercoin or better name so newbies like me dont end up reading buddha quotes. But it says tiger get double rewards? That like staking twice or sumthing but feels like if everyone makes their own token then whos gonna use it at all.

An final id like to see JPmorgan do public blockchain for real, not just test with rich partners. They never test with normal folks, only hudge companies get to play and by the time we can try it they gonna charge fees anyway. They say "decentralized" and then only banks using it, all the same guys.

Sorry i wrote so much i get derailed but jeez so much money moving for things that seems not even exist in reel way. Maybe im to oldschool even tho im not. If someone knows why Nft jpeg gets $20mil holla at me cause i dont get it tbh.
Idk if any1 else read that bit part about Chainlink in the JPMorgan thign but like, isint Chainlink just for oraclememes or smth?? Now there helpin with US bonds lol wild to see. Also, with the Ondo, I thought it was all privet chain before so not sure how "public" this really gets, prob banks just pretending 2 do defi but with rules again haha.
idk but with BTCS doing eth now maybe nxt year we see CryptoPunks sold for like 40 million or sumthin since more companies are buying into crypto stuff as main investment??

Article Summary

The US and Switzerland are moving to build Bitcoin reserves, JPMorgan tested tokenized government bonds on a public blockchain, and Solana led Web3 growth in Q1 2025. Crypto Valley saw continued expansion despite global competition, while The Economist criticized the US crypto industry for corruption and BTCS announced major Ethereum investments.

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