Vancouver mayor proposes Bitcoin as city reserve asset for stability

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim proposes Bitcoin as a reserve asset to protect purchasing power.
Jeff Booth supports Ken Sim’s proposal, recognizing Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic asset.
Former USA CFTC Chairman Giancarlo advocates for Bitcoin reserves, likening it to gold.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has introduced a bold proposal to explore Bitcoin as a reserve asset for the city, aiming to diversify its financial resources and safeguard its purchasing power.

The motion, titled “Preserving the city’s purchasing power through diversification of financial resources: Becoming a Bitcoin-friendly city,” is scheduled to be officially presented to the Vancouver City Council on December 11, 2024. The proposal marks a significant shift toward cryptocurrency adoption by a major city government.

Protecting Vancouver from economic shocks using Bitcoin

In his motion, Mayor Sim seeks to investigate how Bitcoin could help protect Vancouver from economic volatility and inflation by adding it to the city’s reserves.

It comes amid growing interest in Bitcoin as a reserve asset at the government level, particularly in the United States. Several US lawmakers have recently proposed holding Bitcoin in public financial reserves, highlighting the increasing consideration of cryptocurrency in national economic strategies.

Although the full text of the proposal has not yet been made available, Bitcoin advocate Jeff Booth voiced support for Mayor Sim’s plan during a discussion on X Spaces on November 26, 2024. Booth described the motion as an important step in recognizing Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic financial asset for the city.

Former CFTC chairman supports a Bitcoin reserve in the USA

Meanwhile, Christopher Giancarlo, the former Chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has been vocal about the potential for Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset for the US.

In a recent interview, Giancarlo referred to Bitcoin as the “world’s first digital commodity,” noting its similarities to traditional commodities such as gold, oil, and copper, which nations have historically hoarded. He praised the idea of a national Bitcoin reserve, emphasizing its potential to provide long-term financial stability in an increasingly digital economy.

Giancarlo also acknowledged concerns about Bitcoin’s speculative nature but drew parallels to the dot-com bubble, where early-stage speculation gave way to technological breakthroughs that revolutionized industries. He believes the same evolution could occur with blockchain and Bitcoin technology, making it a forward-looking move for governments and financial institutions.