Can 1 million Bitcoin really pay off the $36 trillion U.S. national debt? Peter Schiff doubts

Source Cryptopolitan

Peter Schiff doubts that 1 million Bitcoins could ever pay off the U.S. national debt, as Bitcoin’s market cap would need to increase by over 20,000%, which is unrealistic. He also questions Bitcoin’s global adoption and sees its value increased more by speculation than real demand.

Some Bitcoin fans believe that if the U.S. government buys 1 million Bitcoins, it could eventually pay off the massive $36 trillion national debt. However, Peter Schiff doubts this idea, in a recent X post he questioned whether Bitcoin could eventually pay off the $36.25 trillion national debt.

For this to happen, Bitcoin’s total value would have to increase significantly. Currently, Bitcoin is priced at around $100,000. So, 1 million Bitcoin at $100,000 per Bitcoin would be worth $100 billion in total, not enough to pay off the U.S. national debt, which is around $36.25 trillion.

Peter Schiff doubts Bitcoin’s ability to pay off U.S. National debt

Schiff says this isn’t possible, as Bitcoin would have to increase in value by over 20,000%, which is unrealistic.

Even if Bitcoin’s value increases, the U.S. debt keeps growing. The U.S. government borrows money yearly, so the debt is expected to continue rising. This makes the idea of Bitcoin paying off the debt even harder to believe.

Peter Schiff has long criticized Bitcoin, saying it lacks value and won’t replace traditional money or assets like gold. He points out Bitcoin’s extreme price swings, making it unreliable for saving or buying everyday things. He believes most Bitcoin buyers are speculating, not using it as money.

Schiff also doubts Bitcoin will ever be widely adopted. While its price has grown, Bitcoin still needs to be used as a global currency. Only some countries have accepted it as official money, and most governments resist replacing their currencies with Bitcoin. Schiff believes Bitcoin will always remain the world’s main currency.

Some Bitcoin supporters think the cryptocurrency will keep increasing in value as more people adopt it. They believe it could even reach $1 million per coin, making it an alternative to traditional money.

However, Schiff sees the idea of Bitcoin paying off the U.S. national debt as highly unlikely. The market cap required for such a scenario is too large, and the growing national debt makes it even less possible.

As Peter Schiff says,Bitcoin is a speculative asset, and its value is driven by hope, not real demand.”

While Bitcoin might continue to grow for some, Schiff believes that paying off the U.S. national debt is just an unrealistic dream.

Land a High-Paying Web3 Job in 90 Days: The Ultimate Roadmap

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Markets in 2026: Will gold, Bitcoin, and the U.S. dollar make history again? — These are how leading institutions thinkAfter a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
Author  Insights
Dec 25, 2025
After a turbulent 2025, what lies ahead for commodities, forex, and cryptocurrency markets in 2026?
placeholder
ECB Policy Outlook for 2026: What It Could Mean for the Euro’s Next MoveWith the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
Author  Mitrade
Dec 26, 2025
With the ECB likely holding rates steady at 2.15% and the Fed potentially extending cuts into 2026, EUR/USD may test 1.20 if Eurozone growth proves resilient, but weaker growth and an ECB pivot could pull the pair back toward 1.13 and potentially 1.10.
placeholder
WTI falls below $93.50 on hopes of strait of Hormuz reopeningWest Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $93.25 during the early Asian trading hours on Thursday. The WTI price declines on optimism over a possible deal to end the war with Iran. 
Author  FXStreet
Yesterday 01: 21
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $93.25 during the early Asian trading hours on Thursday. The WTI price declines on optimism over a possible deal to end the war with Iran. 
placeholder
Bitcoin jumps to three-month high as US–Iran talks unwind oil risk premiumGlobal markets moved sharply on Wednesday as signs of progress in US–Iran negotiations triggered a rapid unwind of war-driven positions, dragging oil prices lower while lifting equities and cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin climbed above $81,000, its highest level in three months, while Brent crude fell roughly 11% to around $98 per barrel. The S&P 500 rose 0.85%...
Author  Cryptopolitan
23 hours ago
Global markets moved sharply on Wednesday as signs of progress in US–Iran negotiations triggered a rapid unwind of war-driven positions, dragging oil prices lower while lifting equities and cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin climbed above $81,000, its highest level in three months, while Brent crude fell roughly 11% to around $98 per barrel. The S&P 500 rose 0.85%...
placeholder
WTI falls to near $93.50 after Israel, Iran signal an end to hostilitiesWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price loses ground after registering modest gains in the previous day, trading around $93.70 per barrel during the Asian hours on Friday.
Author  FXStreet
4 hours ago
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price loses ground after registering modest gains in the previous day, trading around $93.70 per barrel during the Asian hours on Friday.
goTop
quote