U.S. House Committee Advances Bill to Establish Strategic Bitcoin (BTC) Reserve

Key Takeaways Lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee approved the American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA) with a 28-21 tally Under the legislation, government-owned Bitcoin cannot be sold for two decades minimum Federal holdings currently total approximately 324,527 Bitcoin valued near $24.7 billion Transparency provisions include quarterly proof-of-reserve disclosures and independent audits Full House and Senate passage is required before the measure reaches the president Congressional lawmakers took a significant stride Wednesday toward codifying President Donald Trump’s Bitcoin reserve directive into federal statute. BREAKING: US House committee PASSES the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill. The bill would lock government held Bitcoin in a federal reserve for at least 20 years and require regular audits of US Bitcoin holdings. pic.twitter.com/YbiOzeBVfe — Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) September 16, 2026 The American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 secured approval from the House Financial Services Committee through a 28-21 vote. Representative Nicholas Begich initially filed the measure in May. Key Provisions of the Legislation This proposed law would establish both a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile within the Department of the Treasury. These entities would manage digital currencies obtained via criminal and civil asset forfeiture proceedings. The measure imposes a mandatory 20-year holding period on Bitcoin stored in the federal reserve. Such extended commitment represents an unprecedented timeframe for government-held assets. Federal authorities presently control roughly 324,527 Bitcoin, worth approximately $24.7 billion based on data from Arkham Intelligence. Additional requirements mandate comprehensive reporting from all federal departments regarding their digital asset portfolios. Accountability mechanisms encompass quarterly proof-of-reserve documentation alongside independent third-party verification audits. The proposal further calls for research into fiscally neutral methods of expanding reserves without burdening American taxpayers. Individual states would gain authorization to deposit their Bitcoin holdings with the Federal Reserve system. The bill explicitly protects Americans’ rights to possess and manage their personal Bitcoin. It characterizes private key ownership as fundamental to both economic independence and individual freedom. Divided Congressional Response Representative Bryan Steil expressed support for the measure, emphasizing its potential to bolster reserve capacity while contributing to deficit reduction. He maintained that modernizing national reserves remains essential for maintaining global competitiveness. Connor Brown, executive director at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, characterized the committee’s decision as a watershed moment for cryptocurrency policy development. Dissenting voices emerged as well. Representative Bill Foster rejected the proposal, arguing that Bitcoin’s volatility and risk profile make it unsuitable for government investment portfolios. “I don’t think anyone believes that bitcoin is critical to the U.S. economy,” Foster said during the session. The legislative effort traces back over a year. Republicans Begich and Senator Cynthia Lummis originally unveiled a predecessor version titled the BITCOIN Act.