U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bitcoin Reserve Bill with 20-Year Holding Rule

Highlights:

• U.S. lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill to formally establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve under Treasury.
• Government-held Bitcoin must be kept for a minimum of 20 years under the proposed law.
• Bill mandates quarterly Proof of Reserve reports and independent audits for full public transparency.

U.S. Congressman Nick Begich has introduced a new bill to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and set clear rules for how the federal government manages Bitcoin and other digital assets it already holds. The legislation, called the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (ARMA), was introduced in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, according to an official press release from Begich’s office.

Begich introduced the bill with Democratic Congressman Jared Golden as co-lead. The proposal also has several original co-sponsors, making it a bipartisan effort. The bill aims to move U.S. Bitcoin policy from executive action to federal law. It would place government-held Bitcoin under a formal reserve structure inside the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

America’s reserves balance sheet is a critical component of our nation’s insurance policy, bolstering our currency and providing assurance during times of uncertainty. Over time, the prevailing sentiment as to what constitutes a durable store of value can shift, and as such it is… pic.twitter.com/7XfBwAWFGi

— Congressman Nick Begich (@RepNickBegich) May 21, 2026

Bill Seeks Treasury Control Over Federal Bitcoin Holdings

ARMA would create a secure Strategic Bitcoin Reserve within the Treasury Department. It would also create a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for non-Bitcoin digital assets held by the federal government. These assets may include crypto obtained through forfeitures, penalties, or other lawful government actions.

The goal is to bring digital assets held across different federal agencies under one clear system. Supporters say this would improve custody, security, transparency, and oversight. At present, federal agencies may hold digital assets in different places after seizures or legal cases. The bill seeks to centralize that process and create a long-term management plan.

Begich said the bill would help the United States lead in the digital age while protecting taxpayer interests. He also linked the proposal to private property rights and financial sovereignty. Golden said the U.S. is already one of the largest holders of Bitcoin, but Congress has not created a clear federal policy for how the government should manage those assets.

Bitcoin Would Be Held for at Least 20 Years

One major part of the bill is its long-term holding rule. The legislation would require Bitcoin placed in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to be held for at least 20 years. The bill also says any Bitcoin sale should only support national debt reduction, according to remarks from Congressman Matt Van Epps included in the release.

The proposal also includes transparency requirements. Federal agencies would need to provide a full accounting of digital assets they currently hold or control. The bill would require quarterly public “Proof of Reserve” reports, independent third-party audits, and congressional oversight. Proof of Reserve means a public report showing that the assets are actually held as claimed.

The bill also protects the legal right of Americans to own, transfer, and self-custody digital assets. Self-custody means users can hold crypto in their own wallets instead of keeping it only on an exchange or third-party platform.

The legislation follows an earlier White House executive order signed on March 6 last year, which established a policy for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate digital asset stockpile. That order directed the Treasury to manage government Bitcoin obtained through forfeiture and related legal processes. It also called for budget-neutral ways to expand Bitcoin holdings without adding taxpayer costs.

Just a few minutes ago, President Trump signed an Executive Order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

The Reserve will be capitalized with Bitcoin owned by the federal government that was forfeited as part of criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings. This means it…

— David Sacks (@davidsacks47) March 7, 2025