Czech National Bank Makes Historic Move: Buys Bitcoin for $1M Test Portfolio in 2025

• Why Did the Czech National Bank Buy Bitcoin?
• What’s in the CNB’s Crypto Test Portfolio?
• CNB Labs: Where Innovation Meets Central Banking
• What’s Next for the CNB and Crypto?
• FAQs: Czech National Bank’s Bitcoin Experiment

In a groundbreaking decision, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has entered the cryptocurrency arena by purchasing Bitcoin for the first time in its history. The move is part of a $1 million experimental portfolio that also includes a US dollar stablecoin and a tokenized blockchain deposit. This pilot project aims to test the waters of digital asset management while avoiding any immediate plans to add Bitcoin to its international reserves. Here’s a deep dive into the CNB’s bold step and what it means for the future of central banking and crypto.

Why Did the Czech National Bank Buy Bitcoin?

The CNB’s board approved the acquisition on October 30, 2025, following months of internal discussions about the role of digital assets in modern finance. Governor Aleš Michl revealed that the idea had been brewing since January, with the goal of gaining hands-on experience in bitcoin holding and assessing its potential for reserve diversification. The bank emphasized that this is purely an experimental move—no further investments are planned, but the insights gained could shape future policies.

What’s in the CNB’s Crypto Test Portfolio?

The $1 million portfolio is a carefully curated mix:

• Bitcoin (BTC): The flagship cryptocurrency, acquired to understand its volatility and storage challenges.
• US Dollar Stablecoin: A fiat-pegged digital asset to test stability and liquidity.
• Tokenized Deposit: A blockchain-based representation of a traditional bank deposit, exploring the future of tokenization.

According to CoinMarketCap data, Bitcoin’s price hovered around $35,000 at the time of purchase, making this a strategic entry point.

CNB Labs: Where Innovation Meets Central Banking

Alongside the crypto experiment, the CNB launched, an innovation hub tasked with testing emerging financial technologies. The lab will explore:

• AI-driven financial tools
• Instant payment systems
• Blockchain-based asset tokenization

Governor Michl hinted that the lab might eventually facilitate the purchase of tokenized Czech bonds using the local currency, the koruna.

What’s Next for the CNB and Crypto?

The bank plans to publish regular updates on its crypto experiment, with a comprehensive review expected in 2–3 years. While the CNB has ruled out adding Bitcoin to its reserves for now, the project signals a growing recognition of cryptocurrencies’ potential. As Michl put it,