Practically 5 years after its blanket crypto ban, China’s Bitcoin (BTC) holdings are inside inches of surpassing the US. New information signifies that China wants round 4,000 BTC to grow to be the biggest state holder of Bitcoin amid a effervescent arms race for digital asset supremacy
Chinese language Bitcoin Holdings To Flip US?
Rising information from Highcharts reveals that China wants 4,012 BTC to overhaul the US because the nation with the biggest Bitcoin holdings.
In response to the information, China presently holds 194,000 BTC, valued at roughly $17.13 billion at present market costs. In the meantime, the US leads with 198,012 BTC in its reserves, however its prime place is beneath risk from China.
With solely 4,012 BTC, specialists predict that China will surpass the US and grow to be the biggest holder of Bitcoin. Regardless of a blanket ban on cryptocurrencies in 2021 and a promoting spree in recent times, China’s BTC holdings have remained respectable.
Whereas China has no official Bitcoin reserves, the Asian superpower has amassed Bitcoin over time by way of numerous methods. The majority of China’s BTC got here from seizures, with authorities famously seizing practically 200,000 BTC from the PlusToken Ponzi scheme in 2021.
Except for the confiscation of digital belongings linked to crime, a small share of BTC holdings got here from government-linked investments in mining earlier than the blanket ban.
On the flip aspect, the Trump-led administration has made clear its intent to make the US the “world’s crypto capital.” An government order establishing a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in 2025 signaled the strongest intent, however practically one 12 months later, the nation’s BTC holdings confirmed no vital enhance.
Like China, the US just isn’t actively buying Bitcoin as a major chunk of its holdings comes from prison seizures. In late 2025, China accused the US of stealing $13 billion in Bitcoin by means of prison proxies with “state-level backing.”
Nation States Enter The BTC Race
Whereas the US and China maintain appreciable leads, different nations are rising their Bitcoin holdings. In response to the information, the UK ranks third with practically 100,000 BTC, whereas Ukraine ranks fourth, bolstered by a wave of donations amid its armed battle with Russia.
Bhutan and El Salvador additionally made the minimize with vital funding in Bitcoin mining and regular purchases over time. Notably, Germany offered all its Bitcoin holdings, a transfer that noticed it tumble from fourth place and sparked widespread criticism.


