TLDR
- A U.S. lawmaker introduced a bill to establish a strategic Bitcoin Reserve under federal law.
- The proposal aims to formalize a March 2025 executive order on Bitcoin reserves.
- The bill has gained bipartisan support with more than a dozen co-sponsors in Congress.
- The Treasury Department would manage the reserve and oversee its operations.
- The legislation allows the government to acquire up to 1 million BTC over five years.
Rep. Nick Begich introduced legislation to establish a strategic Bitcoin Reserve under U.S. law. The proposal aims to formalize an earlier executive order issued in March 2025. Lawmakers from both parties have joined as co-sponsors, signaling growing support.
Lawmakers Move to Formalize Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Begich unveiled the American Reserve Modernization Act on Thursday. The bill seeks to give the strategic Bitcoin Reserve a permanent legal framework.
The legislation builds on a prior proposal known as the BITCOIN Act. Begich introduced that measure earlier with Sen. Cynthia Lummis.
The new bill directs the Treasury Department to oversee the reserve. It also creates a separate stockpile for other federally held crypto assets.
https://x.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/2057482381427163465?s=20
Begich compared Bitcoin to gold during a Fox Business interview. He said markets have identified both as dominant stores of value.
“When you look at bitcoin, it represents about 60% of all market cap,” Begich said. He added that markets have chosen it as a primary asset.
The proposal allows Treasury to acquire up to 200,000 BTC annually. This plan would run for five years and target 1 million BTC.
The holdings would remain locked for at least 20 years. That structure aims to preserve long-term value within the reserve.
U.S. Bitcoin Holdings and Broader Crypto Policy Push
The U.S. government currently holds about 328,372 BTC. Authorities obtained these assets through law enforcement seizures.
These include funds from the Silk Road case and the 2022 Bitfinex recovery. Officials have not outlined a unified management strategy.
Rep. Pat Harrigan addressed this issue in a statement. He said the government holds billions in seized bitcoin without a clear plan.
“The United States government already holds billions in seized bitcoin,” Harrigan said. He added that the situation requires change.
The bill arrives during increased legislative activity around crypto regulation. The Senate Banking Committee recently advanced a major digital asset framework.
Lawmakers approved the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in a 15-9 vote. Two Democratic senators supported the measure alongside Republicans.
Sen. Lummis said the bill could reach the Senate floor soon. She noted that a mid-June timeline remains possible.
Meanwhile, the Treasury has increased enforcement actions tied to crypto finance. Operation Economic Fury led to nearly $500 million in Iranian asset seizures.
A White House official said an announcement on reserve operations is near. The official confirmed that a key legal hurdle has been resolved.