A proposal to create a Sovereign Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (RESBit) is moving through Brazil’s Congress, and the latest draft significantly expands the original scope.
Instead of allocating up to 5% of international reserves, the revised version calls for the gradual acquisition of at least 1,000,000 Bitcoin over five years.
If implemented at full scale, the plan would position Brazil among the largest sovereign holders of Bitcoin globally.
What the RESBit Proposal Includes
The bill, led by Federal Deputy Eros Biondini, aims to diversify Brazil’s national reserves and strengthen its positioning within the global digital economy.
Key provisions include:
- Acquisition Target: Accumulation of 1 million BTC within five years.
- Funding Framework: Originally tied to up to 5% of Brazil’s roughly $370 billion in international reserves (approximately $18.5 billion).
- Oversight Structure: Management by the Central Bank of Brazil in coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
- Custody Requirements: Mandatory cold storage (hardware wallets) with biannual public audits and reporting.
- CBDC Integration: The reserve could support Brazil’s forthcoming central bank digital currency, Drex, potentially serving as collateral or structural backing.
At scale, the target would exceed current publicly known sovereign holdings in several major jurisdictions.
Legislative Path and Political Hurdles
As of February 2026, the proposal is advancing through the Chamber of Deputies.
- The Economic Development Committee has provided favorable feedback.
- The bill must still pass reviews in the Technology, Constitution, and Finance committees before reaching a plenary vote.
The Central Bank of Brazil has historically expressed caution toward holding Bitcoin as part of official reserves, citing volatility and portfolio risk considerations. This suggests further technical debate is likely before final approval.
Broader International Context
Brazil’s proposal aligns with a broader global discussion around sovereign Bitcoin reserves. In the United States, the BITCOIN Act of 2025, introduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis, similarly proposes the accumulation of 1 million BTC at the federal level.
If Brazil formalizes RESBit into law, it would become the first G20 country to legally codify Bitcoin as a sovereign reserve asset.
The outcome will depend not only on political alignment but also on how policymakers weigh reserve diversification benefits against volatility and monetary policy implications.
