In a surprising turn of events, the Russian Central Bank has declared Bitcoin the top financial asset for 2025. This marks a significant shift from the bank’s past cautious stance on cryptocurrencies. The report highlights the asset’s remarkable performance in recent years, driven by factors like the growth of DeFi and increasing institutional investment, even within a controlled financial landscape. The report notes Bitcoin’s impressive annual return of nearly 40%, exceeding all other analyzed assets including gold, Russian federal bonds, and sector-specific stocks. While acknowledging its inherent volatility with a noticeable drop in early 2025, the report also emphasizes Bitcoin’s rapid rebound, demonstrating growing global adoption. This unexpected recognition by an official institution strengthens Bitcoin’s legitimacy as an asset class, paving the way for further integration into investment strategies worldwide.