The United States Could Start Buying Bitcoin In 2026
Cathie Wood Predicts Political Influence on Bitcoin Purchases by the US Government
Renowned investor Cathie Wood believes that political factors, rather than just market trends, could play a significant role in pushing the United States towards actively acquiring bitcoin. Wood, the founder of ARK Invest, recently stated that cryptocurrency has become a prominent political issue for President Donald Trump, shaping policy decisions as the White House looks ahead to the 2026 midterm elections.
According to Wood, this evolving dynamic increases the likelihood of the federal government moving beyond simply holding seized BTC to actively purchasing bitcoin for a national strategic reserve. She pointed out that crypto played a significant role in Trump’s election victory and argued that he has incentives to maintain a favorable stance towards the industry to demonstrate progress and avoid being perceived as a lame duck president.
The US Bitcoin reserve was established by executive order early in Trump’s second term, alongside a broader digital asset stockpile and a new interagency working group focused on AI and crypto, chaired by Special Advisor David Sacks. However, the reserve has primarily been funded with bitcoin seized through criminal forfeitures, which Trump has vowed not to sell.
Wood suggested that there has been hesitation about directly purchasing bitcoin for the strategic reserve, with only confiscated assets being utilized so far. However, she anticipates a shift in this approach, noting that the initial goal was to own one million bitcoins. This potential move towards buying bitcoin could mark a significant shift in government strategy.
Over the past election cycle, the crypto industry has emerged as a more organized political force, with industry-backed PACs contributing to congressional races and high-profile executives endorsing Trump and making personal donations. The administration has also shown engagement with the sector by hosting crypto-related events and involving industry players in White House initiatives.
Bitcoin’s Role as a ‘Scarce Value’
On the policy front, Trump has signed executive orders establishing the bitcoin reserve and crypto stockpile, as well as supporting legislative efforts like the GENIUS Act, aimed at formalizing stablecoin regulations. A report from Sacks’ working group outlined recommendations for regulating digital assets, including granting authority over spot markets to the CFTC.
Wood views the potential government acquisition of bitcoin as a significant market milestone, especially as the cryptocurrency’s supply becomes increasingly limited. With almost all of bitcoin’s capped supply already mined, she believes that US government purchases could trigger a reassertion of bitcoin’s scarcity value, driving further market growth.
