US Lawmakers Move to Enshrine Trump’s Bitcoin Reserve Strategy into Law
On Wednesday, the US House Committee on Financial Services approved a bill designed to codify President Donald Trump’s executive order establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve. The legislation, titled the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026, aims to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate Digital Asset Stockpile within the Department of the Treasury for federally acquired assets from criminal or civil forfeiture. The bill also mandates comprehensive accounting and transparency measures concerning digital assets held by the federal government.
Bill Approval and Objectives
The American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8957) passed the US House Committee on Financial Services on a 28-21 vote, aiming to ensure proper accounting and cybersecurity of Bitcoin held by the federal government and to end fragmented custody practices.
According to Representative Nicholas Begich, the bill’s sponsor, inconsistent custody poses unacceptable cybersecurity risks and hinders accurate accounting of government-owned assets.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile
The bill proposes creating two main asset pools within the Treasury Department: a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate Digital Asset Stockpile, which would include assets acquired through criminal or civil forfeiture.
Currently, estimates from Arkham Intelligence suggest the US federal government holds approximately 324,527 Bitcoins, valued at about $24.7 billion at the time of reporting.
The legislation mandates that Bitcoin held in the federal reserve must remain there for a minimum of 20 years.
Transparency and Governance Measures
The bill requires all federal agencies to provide a comprehensive accounting of digital assets under their control and establishes transparency protocols including quarterly proof of reserve reports and independent third-party audits to verify the reserves reliably.
It also directs a study on budget-neutral acquisition strategies to expand the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and authorizes states to store Bitcoin within the Federal Reserve system.
Protection of Private Ownership Rights
The legislation emphasizes affirming private ownership and self-custody rights for Bitcoin holders, defining control of private keys as fundamental to financial sovereignty, privacy, and personal liberty in the digital age.
These provisions aim to ensure respect for individual crypto users' rights amid increasing government involvement.
Market and Political Reactions
Connor Brown, executive director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, described the committee’s approval as a “genuinely historic step for Bitcoin policy.”
Matt Cole, CEO of Strive, previously characterized the proposed legislation as “the single most important crypto legislation that can come out of DC.”
Although the bill passed the committee, it still requires approval by the full House and Senate before it can be signed into law by the president.
Why it matters
This legislative advancement marks a significant first step toward formally embedding Bitcoin within US federal reserves, potentially signaling long-term governmental acknowledgment of digital assets. It seeks to enhance transparency and security in custody while protecting private ownership rights—cornerstones for supporting further growth in the US crypto industry and setting new legal precedents. Enacting the law could strengthen confidence in Bitcoin as a national asset and enhance the United States' influence in global cryptocurrency policy.
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