Bitcoin Adoption by Nation-States May Accelerate as Strategic Reserve Plans Progress, Samson Mow Says

• Nation-state adoption is accelerating: Governments are moving from skepticism to active planning for Bitcoin reserves.

• US policy and budget-neutral acquisition proposals are advancing, but large-scale purchases have not yet started.

• Reported government holdings and market data indicate potential for a fast, coordinated adoption phase.

Nation-state Bitcoin adoption is accelerating; read expert analysis on Strategic Bitcoin Reserve plans, US holdings, and market implications. Learn what to expect next.

What is nation-state Bitcoin adoption?

Nation-state Bitcoin adoption describes governments and public institutions acquiring Bitcoin as part of official reserves or strategic policy. It involves treasury-level purchases, legislation or executive actions to create Strategic Bitcoin Reserves, and public coordination that could materially affect BTC demand and macro markets.

How is the United States progressing on a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?

The US has signaled intent via executive direction and legislative proposals toward a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, but public purchases are not yet on record. Analysts and commentators—including Samson Mow and Alex Thorn—expect operational frameworks and budget-neutral acquisition mechanisms to advance before actual buying begins.

Samson Mow, founder of Jan3, told podcast host Danny Knowles that nation-state adoption is moving quickly: “I think we’re on the tail end of gradually, and we’re at the beginning phases of suddenly.” He warned a rapid run-up and nation-state FOMO could follow once formal acquisition starts.

While US policy signals are growing, public data shows the US government still leads global holdings in nominal Bitcoin. Bitbo data reports the US government holding 198,012 Bitcoin at the time of reporting.

Why might Strategic Bitcoin Reserves trigger rapid adoption?

Strategic reserves institutionalize demand, converting scattered interest into coordinated, volume-driven purchasing. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve frameworks typically enable treasuries and sovereign funds to acquire BTC through budget-neutral vehicles, reducing political friction and accelerating adoption once implemented.

Industry research—cited without external link as plain text—has forecast more nation-states and sovereign entities researching Bitcoin allocations. Firms tracking institutional trends note that once one major government begins purchases, others may follow to avoid strategic disadvantage, creating a feedback loop.

How has Bitcoin’s price reacted so far?

Bitcoin has not yet experienced the large bull run many expected for 2025. Market participants, including Matt Hougan and other CIOs, suggest the cycle may be delayed into 2026. At the time of publication, Bitcoin is trading at $109,400, down modestly over the last 30 days (CoinMarketCap data reported as plain text).

Samson Mow has emphasized the timing risk: “The risk is that the US is front-run by Pakistan,” stressing how geopolitical moves can accelerate competitive adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will nation-state Bitcoin adoption happen suddenly?

Yes, experts say adoption may shift from gradual to rapid once legal frameworks and budget-neutral acquisition mechanisms are in place. A confirmed, sizable government purchase could prompt quick follow-on buying from other states.

How many Bitcoins does the US government hold?

The US government reportedly holds 198,012 Bitcoin according to Bitbo data cited as a plain-text source in this report.

What is a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?

A Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is a government-managed allocation of Bitcoin held by a treasury, central bank, or sovereign fund to diversify reserves, hedge fiat risk, or capture strategic value from BTC adoption.

Key Takeaways

• Adoption pivot: Governments are shifting from skepticism to active planning for Bitcoin reserves.
• US policy moving forward: Executive and legislative signals exist, but public purchases have not been recorded yet.
• Market implications: A confirmed government buying program could trigger rapid price movements and nation-state FOMO.

Conclusion

Nation-state Bitcoin adoption, led by Strategic Bitcoin Reserve proposals and growing policy signals, appears poised to move from a long gradual phase into a sudden acceleration. Experts including Samson Mow and institutional researchers expect coordinated government action to be a key catalyst. Stay informed on official announcements and holdings data as adoption dynamics continue to evolve.

Nation-state Bitcoin adoption is at the “tail end” of the gradual stage and entering “the beginning phases of suddenly,” Jan3 founder Samson Mow said.

An increasing number of countries are preparing to ramp up Bitcoin adoption after moving past the initial skepticism, according to Jan3 founder Samson Mow.

“I think we’re on the tail end of gradually, and we’re at the beginning phases of suddenly,” Mow told Danny Knowles on the What Bitcoin Did podcast published on YouTube on Saturday.

“These things happen very quickly,” Mow said, referring to the potential for more countries to adopt a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. “It’s like literally gradually then suddenly,” he said, adding:

“I think it is simply a matter of time before we see a massive run-up, and we see a massive nation-state FOMO, you know, panic.”

Mow emphasized that while US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to set up a Strategic Bitcoin (BTC) Reserve, the US still hasn’t started buying.

US is “pushing forward” with Bitcoin plan

However, he pointed out the US is “pushing forward” with budget-neutral Bitcoin acquisition and the Bitcoin Act.

Galaxy Digital’s head of firmwide research, Alex Thorn, recently said there is a high likelihood that the US government will form the highly anticipated Strategic Bitcoin Reserve by the end of this year (reported here as plain text).

While the US still leads all governments in total Bitcoin holdings, Mow told Cointelegraph Magazine in June that the US “has to start” acquiring Bitcoin this year.

“The risk is that the US is front-run by Pakistan,” he explained. At the time of publication, the US government holds 198,012 Bitcoin, according to Bitbo data.

Mow anticipates significant Bitcoin moves from the Latin American region, which he says is one of the areas he is most bullish on.

Nation-state Bitcoin adoption has been a widely discussed talking point in the crypto industry this year.

Fidelity Digital Assets said in a research paper in January that it anticipates “more nation-states, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, and government treasuries will look to establish strategic positions in Bitcoin.”

Bitcoin’s price hasn’t had a “massive run up” yet

Meanwhile, Mow pointed out that Bitcoin’s price hasn’t followed how many market participants thought it would play out for 2025.

“We should have had a bull run already,” he said, “like a massive run up,” he added.

“So I think this cycle, if you want to call it a cycle, is delayed; it might push into next year,” he said. Several other market participants have echoed a similar sentiment in recent times. On July 26, Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan said, “I bet 2026 is an up year.”

“I broadly think we’re in for a good few years,” Hougan said. Bitcoin is trading at $109,400 at the time of publication, down 1.97% over the past 30 days, according to CoinMarketCap (reported here as plain text).

Mow’s and Hougan’s comments come as the industry continues to debate whether Bitcoin’s usual four-year cycle is still relevant now that ETFs and institutional demand are in play.

It was only in June that Mow said the $1 million Bitcoin price tag “is a given at this point, maybe this year, maybe next year.”

Magazine: ‘Help! My robot vac is stealing my Bitcoin’: When smart devices attack