Swedish MP Proposes Bitcoin in National Reserves
Sweden’s monetary debate just got an upgrade: a sitting MP wants Bitcoin on the country’s balance sheet.
By Nordics Bitcoin Staff 17/04/2025
In a potentially historic moment for Sweden’s monetary policy, Member of Parliament Rickard Nordin (Center Party) formally asked Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (Moderate Party) whether Sweden should consider adding Bitcoin to its foreign exchange reserves.
The written question, submitted on April 4 and answered on April 16, marks the first known instance of a Swedish MP directly raising the possibility of a national Bitcoin reserve within the Riksdag.
A Conservative Reserve Meets a Digital Era
Sweden has long managed a conservative foreign exchange reserve consisting primarily of foreign currencies and gold. But Nordin notes that Bitcoin’s monetary properties - particularly its fixed supply and resistance to inflation - are increasingly being recognized as comparable to gold, especially amid rising global uncertainty.
“In many parts of the world, bitcoin is used as a means of payment and as collateral against rampant inflation,” Nordin wrote, highlighting its growing relevance in both emerging and developed economies.
He also pointed to Bitcoin’s critical role in protecting freedom of speech and financial autonomy under authoritarian regimes - a value that aligns with Sweden’s long-standing support for human rights and global democracy movements.
A Budget-Neutral Strategy
Nordin suggested a pragmatic and cost-free starting point: stop selling Bitcoin seized by Swedish authorities, such as the Customs Agency and Police. This is the approach the U.S. has incidentally taken, allowing it to accumulate significant Bitcoin holdings over time without direct purchases or taxpayer costs.
By holding onto confiscated Bitcoin, Sweden could begin building a strategic Bitcoin reserve - even if only symbolically at first - without deviating from its cautious fiscal tradition.
The Question to Government
Nordin's formal question to Minister Svantesson was direct:
“Have the minister and the government considered the possibility of giving the Riksbank the opportunity to include bitcoin in Sweden's foreign exchange reserves, and will the minister and the government act to give the Riksbank such an opportunity?”
While the Finance Ministry’s written response (issued April 16) did not indicate any immediate policy change, the question itself represents a paradigm shift - placing Bitcoin squarely within the context of state-level financial strategy and inviting national debate.
Why This Matters
Bitcoin has already been added to the national reserves of El Salvador and the Central African Republic, and U.S. states like Texas are openly considering similar steps. Globally, conversations are heating up about the role of Bitcoin in the era of currency debasement, de-dollarization, and geopolitical tension.
Sweden - home to one of the most digitally advanced populations and a strong tradition of monetary prudence - could play a unique leadership role in Europe if it takes even cautious steps toward a Bitcoin treasury.
Whether this proposal gains political traction remains to be seen, but it has now officially entered the national conversation.
Follow NordicsBitcoin.com for continuing coverage of Sweden’s evolving relationship with Bitcoin.
