Czech National Bank Buys $1M in Bitcoin, Launches Pilot Crypto Portfolio
The Czech National Bank confirmed on November 13 that it has purchased Bitcoin and set up a pilot crypto portfolio valued at $1 million, which also includes a stablecoin and tokenized deposits. The bank framed the move as an experimental step to study operational, accounting and risk-management aspects of crypto assets rather than a shift in monetary policy. By openly disclosing the buy, the CNB becomes the first central bank to acknowledge a direct Bitcoin acquisition.
Markets and policy watchers will treat the announcement as a significant signal of institutional curiosity and a precautionary, hands-on approach to crypto exposure. The modest size and pilot status limit immediate macro impact, but the public confirmation could influence sentiment around BTC and encourage other regulators and banks to test tokenized instruments and stablecoins under controlled conditions.