The Czech National Bank has added cryptocurrencies to itsholdings for the first time. The central bank announced a $1 million testportfolio today (Thursday) that includes Bitcoin, a US dollar-peggedstablecoin, and a tokenized deposit. Digitalassets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25The bank has also added shares in Coinbase. Bitcoin isreportedly appearing on a central bank balance sheet for the first time.Czech Bank Gains Operational Independence TestingThe portfolio was approved by the CNB board on October 30.The bank said the pilot is intended to give staff practical experience withblockchain-based assets. The investment will not be actively increased and wasmade outside the CNB’s existing international reserves.CNB Governor Aleš Michl first suggested a Bitcoin investmentin January. The proposal faced criticism from European Central Bank officialsat the time. The Czech Republic is an EU member but has not adopted the euro,giving its central bank some operational independence.CNB Lab Studies Blockchain ApplicationsMichl said the test portfolio will evaluate Bitcoin’spotential role in reserve diversification and examine possible uses fortokenized Czech financial instruments. The CNB has also launched the CNB LabInnovation Hub to study blockchain and other financial technologies, includingapplications in monetary policy and commerce.🇨🇿 CZECH CENTRAL BANK JUST BOUGHT $1,000,000 WORTH OF #BITCOIN AND CRYPTOHERE WE GO 🚀 pic.twitter.com/ltSuMwsZwN— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) November 13, 2025CNB Expands Crypto Exposure, Pilot ContinuesEarlier proposals by Michl to purchase larger amounts ofBitcoin were not approved by the CNB board.The CNB emphasized that the pilot does not indicate plans toadopt a permanent digital asset reserve in the near term. The initiativereflects growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies and the use ofblockchain technology by central banks globally.New Czech Law Clarifies Crypto Banking RulesSeparately, the CzechRepublic has enacted a new cryptocurrency law that aligns the country withthe EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. The legislation clarifies tax andcompliance requirements and allows licensed crypto companies to access bankaccounts. The law aims to provide a more predictable regulatoryenvironment for digital asset businesses and could make the country moreaccessible for blockchain-based firms.This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.