US lawmakers advance bill to lock Trump’s Bitcoin reserve into law

The House Financial Services Committee approved the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8957) in a 28-21 vote, a bill that would create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile within the Treasury for federally held Bitcoin and other seized digital assets. The measure would require federally held Bitcoin to remain in reserve for at least 20 years and impose new transparency and auditing requirements for government-held digital assets.

By AI NewsroomPublished 27 minutes agoUpdated 27 minutes ago0 views

US lawmakers advance bill to lock Trump’s Bitcoin reserve into law

Why It Matters

If enacted, the bill would lock a large portion of government-held Bitcoin into long-term custody and set federal standards for accounting and custody of seized digital assets, shaping how the U.S. manages crypto assets acquired through forfeiture. The legislation also signals broader congressional interest in formalizing digital-asset policy at the federal level.

Key Facts

Bill: American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8957)
Committee vote: 28-21 (House Financial Services Committee)
Introduced by: Representative Nicholas Begich (introduced May 21)
Minimum holding period: 20 years for Bitcoin in the federal reserve
Estimated government holdings: 324,527 Bitcoin (~$24.7 billion at time of reporting, per Arkham Intelligence)

The House Financial Services Committee advanced legislation on Wednesday that would formalize a U.S. strategic reserve for Bitcoin and other seized digital assets. The American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8957) cleared the committee on a 28-21 vote and would create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate Digital Asset Stockpile housed in the Treasury Department for assets obtained through civil or criminal forfeiture.

Under the proposal, any Bitcoin placed in the federal reserve would be subject to a minimum 20-year holding period. The bill also mandates a comprehensive accounting of digital assets under federal control and adds transparency provisions, including quarterly proof-of-reserve reports and audits conducted by third parties. In addition, the legislation directs a study into budget-neutral ways to expand the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and would permit states to store their Bitcoin with the Federal Reserve.

Representative Nicholas Begich, who introduced the bill on May 21, framed the measure as a response to risks from inconsistent custody practices across government agencies. The bill also explicitly protects private ownership and self-custody rights, characterizing control of private keys as central to financial sovereignty, privacy, and personal liberty in the digital era.

Industry voices reacted positively: Connor Brown, executive director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, described the committee’s move as a historic moment for Bitcoin policy, while Strive CEO Matt Cole called the measure a major piece of crypto legislation from Washington. Committee approval moves the bill to the full House; it must still pass both chambers and reach the president’s desk to become law.