European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has shut down Bitcoin's future in European Central Bank reserves

According to the ECB Chief, the crypto asset fails to meet the criteria that a reserve must be safe, liquid, and safe.

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has dismissed the possibility of Bitcoin being included in the European Central Bank's future reserves. According to Lagarde, a reserve asset must be liquid, secure, and free from any suspicion of being used for illegal activities such as money laundering. She believes that Bitcoin does not meet these criteria and hence will not be considered for inclusion in any of the Central Banks' reserves.

On the other hand, Czech National Bank (CNB) Governor Aleš Michl has stated that his institution will “assess the inclusion of Bitcoin in its foreign currency reserves.” In an interview with the Financial Times, Michl said that “For the diversification of our assets, bitcoin seems good,” and added that the consideration of Bitcoin as a potentially lucrative investment will continue to increase with or without the Trump presidency's effect.

While the majority of his fellow bankers hold contrasting views on Bitcoin, the CNB Chief stated that he is “entering the jungle” with this move, but his interest in profitability, having been an investment banker, drives him. On Thursday, the Czech Central Bank approved Michl's proposal to study the addition of Bitcoin to its Strategic Reserve assets. Following legislative and executive approval, the Czech Republic can invest 5% of its $146.13 billion reserves in Bitcoin.

Unlike ECB President Lagarde and his other European counterparts who completely rule out Bitcoin based on its volatility and other concerns, the CNB boss told FT that his team will further “assess Bitcoin’s potential role in our reserves.”

From her days as Managing Director of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), Lagarde has been skeptical about cryptocurrency and its underlying technology. In 2018, she stated that “It would not be wise to dismiss crypto-assets.” adding that “we must welcome their potential but also recognize their risks.”

Over the years, she has become increasingly opposed to crypto and has openly called it worthless. In 2021, she described Bitcoin as a highly speculative asset that facilitates “totally reprehensible money laundering activity.”

While the EU remains skeptical about a Bitcoin Reserve, the US government inches closer to a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve from different fronts. Recently, AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks told Fox they are reviewing it and won’t make a premature announcement. Meanwhile, more than 11 US have introduced SBR legislation.