A Mounting Fiscal Challenge
In mid-2025, the U.S. national debt surged past $37 trillion, marking a historic high and representing a nearly $14 trillion increase since 2019. On a per-person basis, that’s about $108,000 for every American and $323,000 for each taxpayer. Interest payments alone consume roughly a quarter of federal revenue, and many economists warn that if left unchecked, this debt trajectory could edge the U.S. toward a fiscal crisis.
Why Traditional Methods Aren’t Enough
Efforts like increasing tariffs, trimming spending, or boosting revenue have so far made little impact. Tariffs bring in only a small share of federal income, and some major spending bills could add trillions to the debt over the next decade. Financial leaders have likened the unchecked growth of national debt to a “plaque buildup” in the economy—slowly but surely leading to a financial “heart attack.”
The Crypto Conversation: Is Digital Gold a Solution?
1. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
One proposal, backed by certain lawmakers, calls for the U.S. to acquire 1 million BTC by 2029 as part of a strategic reserve. If Bitcoin’s value grows significantly over the coming decades, the reserve could potentially cover up to a third of the national debt by mid-century.
In March 2025, the U.S. government took a first step by creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve using seized digital assets, including about 200,000 BTC. Notably, this move did not require new taxpayer funds.
2. Stablecoins and Treasury Demand
Stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to the U.S. dollar—are also gaining a role in the debt equation. Large issuers of stablecoins invest heavily in U.S. Treasuries, effectively becoming significant buyers of government debt. In the future, their purchasing volume could rival or exceed that of some major national economies, offering an unconventional but meaningful support mechanism.
The Bottom Line: Crypto Isn’t a Cure—But It’s Part of the Conversation
While crypto-based strategies like a Bitcoin reserve or stablecoin treasury purchases are promising innovations, they are not silver bullets. Addressing the debt crisis will require a combination of fiscal discipline, economic growth, and innovative financial tools. Still, the conversation around using digital assets as part of the solution is growing louder—and it may become a more prominent part of U.S. economic strategy in the years to come.
