Roswell Goes Full Bitcoin: Why This New Mexico Town’s Crypto Reserve Could Spark a Municipal Revolution
Move over, gold reserves—Roswell just bet its municipal treasury on orange coins. The New Mexico city's new Bitcoin strategic reserve isn't just a publicity stunt—it's a flashing neon sign for other cash-strapped local governments.
### The Municipal FOMO Playbook
When Roswell's city council voted to allocate 1% of its reserves to BTC, they weren't just chasing memes. They're testing a radical hedge against dollar debasement—with taxpayer money. The move mirrors corporate treasury strategies from MicroStrategy to Tesla, but with one twist: this isn't shareholder capital at stake.
### Why Your City Might Be Next
With 15 US states now crypto-friendly and Lightning Network adoption surging 300% since 2023, local governments face mounting pressure to diversify. Pension liabilities? Inflation erosion? Suddenly, a 2% BTC allocation starts looking less 'crazy' and more 'actuarially necessary'—at least until the next 30% drawdown.
### The Cynic's Footnote
Of course, if this backfires, Roswell can always blame extraterrestrial interference—they've got the tourism infrastructure for that narrative ready to go. Meanwhile, Wall Street banks will keep charging 2% management fees to lose money the old-fashioned way.
City in New Mexico is first in the US to set up a Bitcoin strategic reserve
Roswell, a city in southeastern New Mexico and popular as the site of the alleged 1947 UFO crash, has set up a bitcoin strategic reserve. Roswell’s target is $1 million, and the reserve was kicked off with a $3,000 donation of Bitcoin.
Seventeen US states are currently considering the establishment of a Bitcoin reserve, while three, New Hampshire, Arizona and Texas, have signed it into law. New Hampshire led the way, among the three, while Texas’ Bitcoin strategic reserve bill was enacted on June 20.
Bitcoin strategic reserve status | Source: Bitcoin reserve monitor
Trump’s pro-crypto policy could empower US states and cities
US President Donald Trump’s administration has supported Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies through changes within regulatory agencies like the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). Lawsuits against crypto firms like Coinbase and Ripple ended or neared their conclusion after long legal battles that negatively impacted cryptocurrencies.
President Trump’s crypto dinner, meme coin launch, NFT collections and his family-backed DeFi firm World Liberty Financial are all evidence of the pro-crypto regulation. With the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin regulation bill is awaiting final approval in the House of Representatives after the US Senate nodded on June 17.
https://x.com/justinsuntron/status/1924676460461310008
Senator Cynthia Lummis proposed a Bitcoin strategic reserve nearly a year ago in July 2024, and it is currently pending on the Federal level. As New Hampshire, Arizona and Texas make strides with the passage of similar bills, it is likely that more states and cities follow suit and embrace Bitcoin.
Bitcoin strategic reserve bill | Source: Sen. Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming
