Roswell Adopts Bitcoin as Municipal Reserve Asset

Lede

Roswell, New Mexico, set a precedent as the first U.S. city to officially recognize Bitcoin as a reserve asset, validated on April 29, 2025.

Nut Graph

Roswell’s initiative highlights Bitcoin’s growing role in municipal finance, signaling broader U.S. interest in crypto assets.

The City of Roswell

The City of Roswell in New Mexico established the first municipal Bitcoin reserve in the U.S. This step, effective April 29, 2025, was confirmed via city government filings and spearheaded by Acting Mayor Juliana Halvorson.

“I confirm the donation and receipt of Bitcoin by the city.”

The initiative began with a donation of 3,050,323 satoshis, equivalent to about $2,906. The reserve, confirmed by Mayor Halvorson and expert Guy Malone, will hold Bitcoin for at least 10 years.

The Bitcoin Reserve Announcement

The Bitcoin reserve announcement could influence other municipalities seeking diversification. The transparency in governance may encourage cities to explore similar strategies for financial reserves.

The fund’s growth, planned through sponsorships and donations, aims to exceed $1 million. At that point, it could function as a “Bitcoin Emergency Fund,” providing aid with strict usage limits.

Historical Moves and Influence

This initiative, supported by Bo Hines of the Crypto Advisory Committee, aligns with previous strategies to integrate digital assets into public financial systems.

Historical moves like Arizona’s Bitcoin legislation set the stage for Roswell’s approach. El Salvador also provides a successful national model, fueling the trend of Bitcoin as a sovereign hedge.