A senior Bank of England official told Parliament that proposed rules would require “systemic” stablecoins to hold at least 40% of reserves in central bank deposits, announced as DLT projects proliferate. The move is aimed at strengthening safety and integrating stablecoins into the UK financial plumbing.
On March 12, 2026, Ray Dalio argued Bitcoin cannot supplant gold, citing central bank demand and gold’s mature, time-tested market. He said BTC behaves more like a high-risk asset than a stable hedge.
Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya said he doubts bitcoin can serve as a central bank reserve, citing privacy and fungibility problems that complicate sovereign use. His comments intensify scrutiny of corporate strategies like MicroStrategy’s large BTC holdings.
Rising U.S.–Iran tensions and the prospect of a Strait of Hormuz closure could trigger a sharp oil shock, stoking inflation and forcing central banks to delay rate cuts, which would weigh on risk assets including cryptocurrencies.
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan said he expects every central bank to hold Bitcoin by 2050, responding to recent criticism from the founder of Sevens Reporter. His prediction frames Bitcoin as a potential long-term reserve asset amid rising institutional interest.
MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor told an Abu Dhabi audience that countries could use Bitcoin reserves and tokenized credit markets to provide regulated accounts with higher yields, positioning BTC as a reserve and yield tool for sovereign finance.
The IMF cautions that while stablecoins can widen access to financial services, their rapid growth risks weakening central banks’ monetary control and influence. Policymakers are urged to strengthen regulation and international coordination to protect monetary sovereignty.
The Bank for International Settlements on Tuesday named a new head of its Innovation Hub, which oversees central-bank research into digital currencies, AI and other emerging technologies. The appointment underscores continued institutional momentum behind CBDC research and cross-border tech coordination.
Jefferies says Tether has emerged as a major buyer of physical gold, tightening supply and supporting market sentiment. The accumulation by USDT raises questions about reserve strategies and the role of private issuers in real-world markets.
The ECB President said Bitcoin will not be included in EU central bank reserves, citing insufficient liquidity and security to meet sovereign reserve standards.