Czech Central Bank Governor to Speak at Bitcoin 2026 on Bitcoin Reserve Diversification Strategy

Czech National Bank Governor to Address Bitcoin Reserve Diversification at Bitcoin 2026

Aleš Michl, Governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB), has been officially confirmed as a keynote speaker at Bitcoin 2026. His speech, titled “Diversifying Central Bank Reserves With Bitcoin”, is scheduled for April 28 at 10:20 AM PT on the Nakamoto Stage at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

Michl’s participation marks a historic moment as the first sitting central bank governor to speak at The Bitcoin Conference.

CNB’s Bitcoin Reserve Diversification Proposal

In January 2025, Michl proposed allocating up to 5% of the CNB’s €140 billion reserves into Bitcoin. The proposal highlighted Bitcoin’s low correlation with traditional assets like bonds as a key factor in its appeal for diversification. While the suggestion drew international attention and criticism, particularly from European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, who stated she was confident Bitcoin would never enter EU central bank reserves, Michl remained steadfast in his position.

CNB’s First Digital Asset Purchase

In November 2025, the CNB executed its first-ever digital asset purchase—a $1 million test portfolio consisting of Bitcoin, a U.S. dollar-based stablecoin, and a tokenized deposit. The purchase was conducted within the CNB Lab to assess the operational realities of holding blockchain-based instruments from a central bank’s perspective. Michl described the initiative as a preparatory exercise rather than speculative investment.

“The aim was to test decentralised bitcoin from the central bank’s perspective and to evaluate its potential role in diversifying our reserves. We’ll inform the public about our experience on an ongoing basis and present an assessment in two to three years.”

Bitcoin 2026: A Global Bitcoin Event

Bitcoin 2026 will take place from April 27–29 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. The event is positioned as the largest Bitcoin gathering of the year, focusing on the future of money. It will bring together Bitcoin builders, investors, miners, policymakers, technologists, and newcomers from across the globe.

The conference will offer a range of pass options, including general admission for newcomers and premium passes for professionals, enterprises, and institutions. Attendees can expect multiple stages, immersive experiences, technical workshops, and headline keynotes tailored to both first-time visitors and long-time Bitcoin advocates.

The CNB’s involvement underscores the growing dialogue between traditional financial institutions and Bitcoin, as central banks explore the role of digital assets in global monetary systems.