Sweden has taken a surprising step into the global Bitcoin conversation. A prominent member of the Swedish Parliament has officially raised the question: Should Bitcoin be included in the country’s foreign exchange reserves?

Rickard Nordin, a representative from Sweden’s Centre Party, submitted a formal inquiry to Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson this week, asking whether the government has considered giving the Swedish central bank—the Riksbank—the authority to hold Bitcoin as part of its official reserves.

Nordin’s inquiry marks the first time such a proposal has reached Sweden’s legislative floor. His written question, aimed at opening a national discussion, highlights how countries around the world are beginning to evaluate Bitcoin not only as a digital currency but also as a potential store of value and economic hedge.

Bitcoin as Digital Gold

In his submission, Nordin likened Bitcoin to gold, often considered the world’s traditional safe haven. “Its monetary properties are comparable to those of gold, especially in a time of increasing geopolitical and economic uncertainty,” he wrote.

He went on to cite the unique attributes of Bitcoin as a decentralized, borderless asset, noting its growing global use as both a medium of exchange and a financial lifeline for people under authoritarian regimes. “It is also an important way for freedom fighters to handle payments when under the oppression of authoritarian regimes,” Nordin stated.

His argument aligns with a broader narrative gaining momentum among pro-crypto policymakers worldwide: that Bitcoin could serve as a sovereign hedge against inflation, central bank policy missteps, and geopolitical risk.

Using Seized Bitcoin as a Starting Point

Nordin’s proposal suggests that Sweden wouldn’t need to allocate new capital to buy Bitcoin. Instead, he proposes a “budget-neutral” approach by converting Bitcoin already seized by Swedish law enforcement and customs authorities into official holdings.

This strategy mirrors a recent idea floated in the United States, where discussions around the use of confiscated digital assets for government reserves have gained traction. By repurposing these funds, governments could gain exposure to Bitcoin without tapping into taxpayer money or destabilizing existing financial commitments.

Will the Government Respond?

While Minister Svantesson is not legally obligated to respond to Nordin’s inquiry, her office has the opportunity to issue a written statement by April 16. If she does, it could mark the beginning of an unprecedented debate within Swedish financial policy circles—one that brings cryptocurrency into the realm of sovereign wealth management.

The discussion also places Sweden at odds with the position of the European Central Bank (ECB), where President Christine Lagarde recently reiterated her belief that Bitcoin should have no place in central bank reserves among General Council members—which includes Sweden.

Shifting Global Landscape

Despite skepticism from the ECB and other global financial institutions, momentum around sovereign Bitcoin adoption continues to grow. Countries like El Salvador have already made Bitcoin legal tender and added it to national reserves. In the U.S., speculation is growing around potential policy shifts as crypto regulation evolves under new federal leadership.

While Sweden is unlikely to adopt Bitcoin as a core reserve asset overnight, Nordin’s proposal places it firmly on the map of digital currency policy debate. At a time when governments are rethinking the nature of money, currency backing, and financial sovereignty, even the suggestion of Bitcoin entering foreign reserves marks a notable shift in sentiment.