Brazil Pushes Forward with Potential Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill
Government, academia and experts join forces for a potential multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency allocation.
Chamber Hearing on Bill 4.501/2024
Brazil is escalating its formal consideration of Bitcoin integration into its national reserves. On August 20th, 2025, the nation’s lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, will host a public hearing for Bill 4.501/2024. This legislation potentially authorizes a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (RESBiT) valued up to $17.2 billion (R$96 billion).
Investment Potential
Under the proposed bill, the Brazilian government could allocate up to 5% of its approximately $344 billion foreign exchange reserves to Bitcoin. If enacted, Brazil could become one of the world’s largest Bitcoin holders by central bank reserves, following the U.S. Federal Reserve and the People’s Bank of China.
Background and Supporters
Introduced by Federal Deputy Eros Biondini in November 2024, Bill 4.501/2024 is not seen as experimental but as a strategic evolution of national reserves. Since its proposal, it has garnered attention from lawmakers and financial experts.
Advocates highlight RESBiT as a sovereign digital asset reserve aiming to include Bitcoin and other secure digital assets. They argue for diversification of reserves, reduced reliance on traditional currencies, and enhanced protection against specific financial risks.
As highlighted by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin’s Chief of Staff, Pedro Giocondo Guerra, the move represents a forward-looking strategy: “Debating the creation of a sovereign Bitcoin reserve is in the public interest and vital to Brazil’s prosperity.”
Public Hearing Details
The scheduled hearing in Plenary 5 of Annex II, Brasília, at 4:00 PM, is open to the public and the private sector. The session involves presenting viewpoints from:
- Diego Kolling, Head of Bitcoin Strategy at Brazil’s leading corporate holder, Méliuz
- Rubens Sardenberg (FEBRABAN)
- Officials from Central Bank of Brazil, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services
- Representatives from Abcripto, the Brazilian digital asset association
The agenda includes exploring risks, regulatory hurdles, and potential economic benefits associated with including Bitcoin in sovereign reserves. Furthermore, the bill might facilitate the development of a “digital de-dollarization strategy.”
Context and Global Trend
Brazil joins a growing international dialogue around strategic digital asset reserves. Brazil’s potential move could make it the first developing economy if the bill is approved.
Earlier this year, the U.S. took executive action under President Trump, but details of implementation remain limited. Similar showings of interest are reported from Kazakhstan, India, and Sweden.
While El Salvador’s 2021 law adopted Bitcoin as legal tender is distinct, Brazil’s proposal frames Bitcoin primarily as a strategic financial asset, not intended to replace the Real as the day-to-day currency.
Deputy Luiz Philippe emphasized this distinction: “We are considering Bitcoin as a strategic asset. It is being considered to modernize and strengthen national reserve policy, not to replace the real.”
