The Czech National Bank (CNB) has bought digital assets for the first time. Specifically, the purchase is worth $1 million and sits outside its official reserves. The portfolio includes Bitcoin, a USD stablecoin, and a tokenized deposit.
According to the press release, the bank plans to test how digital assets work in practice over the next two to three years. CNB Governor Aleš Michl said the project started in January 2025 to explore Bitcoin’s role in reserves and test future payment systems.
The Bank Board approved the purchase on 30 October 2025 after reviewing an analysis on new types of investments. Accordingly, the CNB says the pilot will let staff learn how to handle digital assets safely.
Michl explained, “We will inform the public about our experience and present an overall assessment in approximately two to three years.” The portfolio is small and therefore will not affect the bank’s ability to manage the koruna or control inflation.
The CNB will test all steps of owning digital assets. This includes managing wallet keys, following approval steps, preparing for crises, and checking compliance with anti-money laundering rules.
Additionally, the bank will see how tokenized deposits and stablecoins work in trading, accounting, and audits. Michl added, “It is realistic to expect that in the future, it will be easy to use the koruna to buy tokenized bonds and more besides.”
The total value of the portfolio will stay at $1 million. The bank will not increase it during the test. However, Bitcoin prices can change a lot, so the CNB warns anyone buying it to understand the risks. The project is meant for learning, not as an investment bet.
This pilot puts the CNB alongside other central banks exploring blockchain. For instance, the European Investment Bank, Bank of England, and Bank of International Settlements are also testing tokenized products and digital bonds.
Ultimately, the bank hopes the pilot will give hands-on experience before digital assets become widely used.
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