Bitcoin is often touted as an alternative to the US dollar, the world's reserve currency, as only a limited number of coins will ever be produced. Proponents argue that bitcoin's fixed supply makes it an inflation-proof value store outside the global financial system. Bitcoin is often compared to gold for a similar reason.

While central banks worldwide keep large reserves of the dollar and gold, until now, only one country — El Salvador — has created a strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies, although several governments do hold them, mostly seized from criminal activities or to circumvent international sanctions.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a strategic reserve of bitcoin, having previously said he wants the United States to be a leader in digital money.

Crypto advocates have responded euphorically to the plans, while skeptics argue it will expose US taxpayers to the huge price volatility of digital currencies.

As Trump welcomes the top crypto movers and shakers to the White House for a summit on Friday, DW explores what the president has in mind.

Under Trump's order, the federal government will retain the nearly 200,000 bitcoin seized in criminal and civil proceedings, according to Trump's "crypto czar" David Sacks.

"The U.S. will not sell any bitcoin deposited into the........

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