Germany’s $3.1B Bitcoin Blunder: 54,000 BTC Sold at $57.9K Now Worth a Fortune

Talk about bad timing. Germany's treasury offloaded a mountain of Bitcoin last year—54,000 coins at $57,900 apiece—just before the market went parabolic. Today? That stash would make Scrooge McDuck blush.

The great crypto fire sale

While bureaucrats patted themselves on the back for locking in $3.1 billion, hodlers were quietly stacking sats. Now those same coins could buy a small European nation—or at least its banking system.

Modern treasury management at work: sell low, regret forever. Maybe next time they'll consult the Magic 8-Ball before dumping generational wealth.

The country is now among the major Bitcoin-holding governments to completely liquidate its positions, while other nations have adopted strategic accumulation or selective selling approaches.

The missed opportunity has coincided with a global rush toward Bitcoin strategic reserves.

Multiple countries and corporations have announced plans to establish or expand their Bitcoin holdings.

Strategic Sellers Capitalize While Germany Exits

El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy has generated the most dramatic vindication of the strategic reserve approach.

President Nayib Bukele’s administration holds 6,237 BTC worth over $760 million, nearly tripling from the country’s estimated $42,000 cost basis.

Bukele made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021 and accumulated holdings during market lows.

The president recently mocked U.S. senators who introduced the El Salvador Accountability Act of 2025, which aims to investigate the country’s Bitcoin usage and consider sanctions.

Similarly, compared to the German government, Bhutan has demonstrated superior market timing compared to other sovereign holders.

The Royal Government recently transferred $23.73 million worth of Bitcoin to Binance within hours of Bitcoin reaching new highs above $112,000 on July 10.

Bhutan government moves $23.73M Bitcoin to Binance perfectly timing $BTC's $112K ATH, maintaining massive 11,711 $BTC worth $1.3B with superior market strategy.#Bhutan #Bitcoinhttps://t.co/ghEZF0AnO8

The Himalayan kingdom sold 213 BTC during the peak, bringing remaining holdings to 11,711 BTC worth $1.3 billion.

Bhutan has consistently sold during price peaks while maintaining substantial long-term positions, generating superior returns compared to passive holding strategies.

Bhutan’s Bitcoin accumulation centers on sustainable mining operations powered by hydroelectric resources.

The country began mining in April 2019 when prices traded around $5,000, building reserves through energy-efficient operations that account for over 25% of the nation’s GDP.

Global Reserve Movement Gains Momentum

As part of the growing entities’ adoption, Kazakhstan officially announced plans to establish a state crypto reserve, with National Bank Chairman Timur Suleimenov revealing that confiscated criminal assets and state-backed mining operations will serve as primary funding sources.

The Central Asian nation emerged as a mining haven after Chinese operations fled regulatory crackdowns in 2021, briefly controlling over 27% of global Bitcoin mining before scaling back to 4% under new regulations by 2023.

Additionally, in June, Texas became the first U.S. state to establish a Bitcoin reserve fund when Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 21 into law.

Texas has officially joined the small but growing list of U.S. states moving toward on-chain finance, passing a bill that protects Bitcoin reserves.#Texas #Bitcoinhttps://t.co/kBh6nFgROs

The standalone reserve fund operates separately from the state treasury and is overseen by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

Similarly, Pakistan announced a government-led Bitcoin strategic reserve at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas.

Bilal bin Saqib, head of the Pakistan Crypto Council, stated that the government will hold Bitcoin permanently without selling.

The announcement marked a reversal from Pakistan’s previous anti-crypto stance. Just two years ago, Pakistan’s finance ministry declared cryptocurrencies illegal.

Alongside government initiatives, corporate adoption has also accelerated.

Norwegian deep-sea mining firm Green Minerals announced plans to raise up to $1.2 billion for Bitcoin reserves as part of a broader blockchain strategy.

In fact, just today, Strategy announced it had acquired 4,225 BTC for approximately $472.5 million, at approximately $111,827 per bitcoin, bringing total holdings to 601,550 $BTC, acquired for approximately $42.87 billion.

Strategy has acquired 4,225 BTC for ~$472.5 million at ~$111,827 per bitcoin and has achieved BTC Yield of 20.2% YTD 2025. As of 7/13/2025, we hodl 601,550 $BTC acquired for ~$42.87 billion at ~$71,268 per bitcoin. $MSTR $STRK $STRF $STRD https://t.co/cdUkviddqp

Current government Bitcoin holdings total 529,705 BTC worth over $64 billion across nine countries.

The United States leads with 207,189 BTC valued at $25.18 billion, followed by China with 194,000 BTC worth $23.58 billion.