Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: federal legislation and policy

The House Financial Services Committee will mark up H.R. 8957, the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026, this Wednesday as it seeks to codify a Treasury-managed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve into law. Introduced by Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) on May 21, 2026 and backed by more than 20 co-sponsors including Rep. Jared Golden, the bill mandates a 20-year lockup on reserve Bitcoin and quarterly third-party proof-of-reserve audits.

ARMA requires the Treasury to establish secure storage within 180 days, relies mainly on Bitcoin seized via criminal and civil forfeitures rather than new market purchases or taxpayer funds, and creates a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for non-Bitcoin assets. Wednesday’s markup is a committee-level action; the bill must still pass the full House, clear the Senate, and reach the president.

Committee timing and procedural details

The new reports set a firm committee schedule and fill in procedural detail. The House Financial Services Committee convening is confirmed for Sept. 16 at 10:00 a.m. ET in the Rayburn House Office Building, listed on the public calendar under a generic ‘‘Markup of Various Measures’’ entry. The bill’s disclosure regime is further specified: Treasury must implement a continuous proof-of-reserve system using public cryptographic attestations with quarterly reports that disclose totals, transactions and demonstrable control of the private keys, subject to review by an independent third‑party auditor and oversight by the Comptroller General. Federal agencies will have 60 days after enactment to provide a complete accounting of Bitcoin and other digital assets they hold, seize or control, and they generally cannot dispose of Bitcoin until the two federal stockpiles are operational. Once Treasury certifies operational readiness and secure custody, agencies will have 30 days to transfer applicable holdings under traceable, auditable procedures. The updates also describe a voluntary state program allowing states to place Bitcoin in segregated accounts within the reserve while retaining title.