Roswell Becomes First US City to Establish a Bitcoin Reserve

Roswell, a city in the southwestern United States, has established a city-held and managed Roswell Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Bitcoin journalist Guy Malone shared a receipt signed by Mayor Pro Tem Juliana Halvorson, officially acknowledging the receipt of approximately 0.3 bitcoin (3,050,323 satoshis), worth $2,906.

The document states this is the “first seed” donation, expressing hope that many more will follow. Roswell’s Bitcoin reserve is intended to hold donations and sponsorships for at least 10 years.

Once the fund reaches at least $1 million worth of bitcoin, it will serve as a “liquid emergency fund” for up to 21% of its value every five years. Assets will only become available for use after a unanimous approval by the Roswell City Council for disaster relief. As the fund grows, the council may propose additional use cases.

Supporters of the initiative can send donations to a Bitcoin blockchain address shared in the release.

This initiative aligns with the U.S. government’s increasingly crypto-friendly stance. In March 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile.

Several U.S. cities and states have either launched or are working toward creating their own Bitcoin reserves. Recently, Arizona’s House of Representatives voted to support bills aimed at integrating cryptocurrencies into the state’s investment strategy.

The adoption of Bitcoin as a strategic reserve is being debated in countries around the world. However, South Korea, Brazil, and several European nations have rejected the idea of establishing a Bitcoin reserve.

Supporters say holding bitcoin as a reserve can protect cities or states from inflation and give them an edge in a digital future. It’s also seen as a way to attract crypto investment and signal innovation. But there are risks too – bitcoin’s price is volatile, and relying on it for emergency funds could backfire during a market crash.