Bitcoin Magazine
Czech National Bank Governor Will Soon Speak on Why They’re Diversifying Their Reserves With Bitcoin
Aleš Michl has been officially confirmed as a speaker at Bitcoin 2026, where he will deliver a keynote titled “Diversifying Central Bank Reserves With Bitcoin” on April 28 at 10:20 AM PT on the Nakamoto Stage at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. Michl serves as Governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB) — and his presence at the event marks a significant moment as he becomes the first central bank governor to speak at The Bitcoin Conference.
In January 2025, Michl proposed allocating up to 5% of the CNB’s €140 billion reserves into Bitcoin, citing its low correlation with traditional assets like bonds as a key factor making it an attractive diversification option. The proposal drew international attention and pushback. The proposal drew international attention that saw pushback from central bank elites. Like from the European Central Bank’s President, Christine Lagarde, who publicly said she was confident Bitcoin would not ever enter the reserves of any EU central banks. Even though the Czech Republic does not use the euro, Michl has shown little sign of being moved by the criticism.
In November 2025, the CNB made its first-ever digital asset purchase — a $1 million test portfolio that included Bitcoin, a U.S. dollar-based stablecoin, and a tokenized deposit, built inside the CNB Lab to test the operational realities of holding blockchain-based instruments from the central bank’s perspective. Michl framed it as an exercise in preparedness rather than speculation. “The aim was to test decentralised bitcoin from the central bank’s perspective and to evaluate its potential role in diversifying our reserves,” he said. “We’ll inform the public about our experience on an ongoing basis and present an assessment in two to three years.”
His Bitcoin 2026 keynote will offer a rare perspective from inside a sitting central bank — one that has moved from discussion to actual Bitcoin purchase, and is watching how the broader global monetary system is beginning to respond. Bitcoin 2026 takes place April 27–29 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
THE GOVERNOR OF THE CZECH NATIONAL BANK IS LOCKED IN FOR BITCOIN 2026 His keynote is titled “Diversifying Central Bank Reserves with Bitcoin” pic.twitter.com/E9V3Nq8M98— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) April 2, 2026
Bitcoin 2026 is Returning to Las Vegas
Bitcoin 2026 will take place April 27–29 at The Venetian, Las Vegas, and is expected to be the biggest Bitcoin event of the year.
Focused on the future of money, Bitcoin 2026 will bring together Bitcoin builders, investors, miners, policymakers, technologists, and newcomers from around the world. The event will feature a wide range of pass types, including general admission passes designed specifically for those new to Bitcoin, alongside premium passes for professionals
