Schiff’s analysis highlights that while the reserve aims to use seized Bitcoin—ensuring no extra burden on taxpayers—the order does not authorize new purchases of digital assets. Instead, it allows the government to retain any further BTC obtained through seizures. This approach, according to Schiff, is fundamentally flawed because purchasing assets typically requires expenditure, thus questioning the true feasibility of such a reserve.
Critics like crypto enthusiast Ryan Park have also weighed in, arguing that the order should not be confused with a broader mandate to replace other assets such as gold. Park maintains that while the government may explore acquiring additional Bitcoin without direct taxpayer funds, the potential cost implications and opportunity costs remain significant. Schiff warns that Trump's intervention might temporarily stabilize prices but could ultimately be counterproductive, potentially triggering a massive market crash if the reserve is ever liquidated.
Schiff believes that only Trump’s support can delay a Bitcoin meltdown, but he also cautions that the entire crypto market might suffer without careful management of the reserve. As the government retains around 200,000 seized BTC, industry observers remain divided over whether this strategic move will bolster Bitcoin’s value or destabilize the market in the long run.