Bitcoin on Indonesia’s Radar as Potential Reserve Asset

Summary: Indonesia’s Vice President’s office has met with Bitcoin advocates to explore the possibility of incorporating BTC into the country’s foreign exchange reserves. While no formal policy has been announced, the talks marked a significant step in Jakarta’s consideration of digital assets in national strategy.

Exploring Bitcoin as a Reserve Asset

According to reports, Indonesian officials are weighing the idea of using Bitcoin to diversify the country’s foreign exchange reserves, which stand at around $153 billion as of recent data, up from $152 billion in May 2025. Historically, these reserves have included gold, U.S. dollars, and government bonds.

Bitcoin advocates presented educational resources, including The Bitcoin Standard and Ray Dalio’s The Changing World Order, to support the case for Bitcoin. They also linked long-term BTC valuation forecasts, such as Michael Saylor’s 2045 projections, to Indonesia’s centennial independence milestone, which reportedly resonated with officials.

BIG NEWS: 🇮🇩 Indonesia is exploring Bitcoin as a national reserve.

We were invited to the Vice President’s office to present how Bitcoin could benefit the country.

What we discussed could shape the future of Indonesia’s economic strategy. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/QGKgGRRgEU

— Bitcoin Indonesia (@bitcoinindo21) August 5, 2025

Focus on Education and Public Outreach

Advocates stressed the importance of public literacy around Bitcoin, proposing grassroots efforts through schools, universities, and local communities. The aim is to ensure that the public is equipped to understand both the opportunities and risks of digital assets.

Indonesia recently updated its crypto tax regime on August 1, 2025. Domestic crypto trades are now taxed at 0.21%, while international trades face a 1% tax. Value-added tax (VAT) was removed for crypto purchasing, but mining is now subject to a 2.2% VAT. Starting in 2026, mining income will be taxed under standard income or corporate tax categories.

In 2024, Indonesia saw crypto transactions worth more than 650 trillion rupiah, underscoring regulators’ motivation to tighten oversight while exploring long-term digital asset strategies.

Indonesia is waking up to Bitcoin.

Adhit from the VP office says „Indonesia must also continue to educate about Bitcoin in the future.“

— Bitcoin Indonesia (@bitcoinindo21) August 5, 2025

Global Context and International Comparisons

Indonesia’s exploration of Bitcoin echoes similar moves by other nations. El Salvador adopted BTC as legal tender in 2021 and now holds 6,067 BTC. Bhutan, operating more discreetly, has mined 11,711 BTC—worth roughly $1.3 billion—which reportedly contributes about 40% of its GDP.

Other governments are taking strategic approaches. Kazakhstan is considering investment in crypto ETFs and blockchain ventures. In the United States, former President Donald Trump’s administration established a national Bitcoin reserve holding 198,109 BTC, framing the asset as “digital gold.”

What’s Next for Indonesia?

Indonesia’s path forward may involve pilot mining programs, collaboration with the private sector, or the creation of formal white papers to assess the viability of BTC as a reserve. Authorities are expected to weigh Bitcoin’s volatility and energy demands against its potential role in economic resilience and diversification.

Future meetings could include Bank Indonesia to address how a Bitcoin reserve might impact financial markets, legal frameworks, and monetary policy.

Featured image via Unsplash, chart via TradingView