This week, exciting discussions ignited in Panama City as the mayor hinted at exploring the establishment of a municipal Bitcoin fund. The conversation took off following a brief yet impactful post on social media.
Mayor Mizrachi sparked intrigue with a tweet mentioning a potential “Bitcoin Reserve,” right after his meeting with prominent crypto advocates Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert. Their discussions are believed to have revolved around developing effective Bitcoin policies.
Significant Meetings Trigger Speculation
Inside sources indicate that Mizrachi’s conversation with Keiser and Herbert delved into the intricate details of Bitcoin’s role in policymaking. While he remained tight-lipped about specifics, the implications of their dialogue are substantial.
The timing of his post was critical, as he shared it just prior to his attendance at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, raising expectations for major announcements on the horizon.
Bitcoin Reserve
— Mayer Mizrachi (@Mayer) May 16, 2025
Legislative Challenges Ahead
Establishing a formal Bitcoin reserve is not a straightforward endeavor. Reports suggest it would require a legislative vote from Panama’s National Assembly, which entails drafting and approving new legislation—a process that can be notoriously slow.
This journey involves multiple steps:
- Committee studies to assess the feasibility.
- Debates around the merits and implications of the proposal.
- Amendments and financial assessments before any concrete steps are taken.
Only after navigating these hurdles could the city consider officially holding Bitcoin assets.
Panama City to adopt El Salvador’s educational initiatives focused on Bitcoin literacy within their newly established digital libraries.
Could a Central American Bitcoin coalition be forming?
— Stacy Herbert
(@stacyherbert) May 15, 2025
Potential for Renewable Energy in Mining
Another intriguing aspect of the discussions was the potential for utilizing Panama’s natural resources. Keiser emphasized the country’s hydroelectric capabilities alongside El Salvador’s existing geothermal projects. The idea is to harness renewable energy to power mining operations.
This presents a promising opportunity: leveraging cost-effective green energy to sustain Bitcoin infrastructure. However, it does come with challenges, including the need for updated permits and enhancements to the energy grid.
Crypto Transactions on the Agenda
Mizrachi’s ambitions extend to the adoption of cryptocurrencies in everyday transactions. He has announced plans for Panama City to accept Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, and USDC once the necessary payment frameworks are established. This requires creating robust systems for crypto-to-fiat exchanges, likely involving partnerships with local banks or fintech companies.
Additionally, the city will need secure wallets to manage any cryptocurrencies it receives. Although no specific timeline has been outlined, these initiatives are certainly a top priority for the administration.
Growing Interest from Corporations
The interest in Bitcoin is not just confined to governments; corporations are actively increasing their holdings as well. Notably, Michael Saylor’s Strategy Corp. announced plans to secure an additional $84 billion in funding aimed at buying Bitcoin. This includes liquidating $21 billion in shares for investment.
Furthermore, they’ve raised their debt ceiling from $21 billion to $42 billion, leaving a significant portion still available for acquisition. Across the globe, Metaplanet has also contributed by adding 1,240 BTC, representing about $127 million, bringing its total to nearly $706 million in Bitcoin assets.
Reports indicate that publicly traded companies expanded their Bitcoin investments by 15% in the first quarter, suggesting a shift in perspective as many view Bitcoin not merely as an investment gamble but as a fundamental asset to hold.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart data from TradingView
