WASHINGTON D.C. – A new bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to codify and expand upon the nation's existing cryptocurrency holdings by establishing a long-term Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The proposed legislation, known as the "American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026" (ARMA), was introduced on Thursday by Representatives Nick Begich (R-Alaska) and Jared Golden (D-Maine).
Formalizing a National Bitcoin Stockpile
The ARMA legislation seeks to create a formal Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, with a significant provision mandating that any Bitcoin designated for this reserve must be held for a minimum of twenty years. This move is seen as a continuation of President Trump's 2025 executive order, which initiated the process of establishing a national Bitcoin stockpile. The bill also proposes a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for other digital assets managed by the federal government. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirmed the administration's policy in January, stating, "The policy of this government is to add seized bitcoin to our digital asset reserve after the damages are done."
Funding and Asset Management
The proposed reserve would be primarily funded through existing cryptocurrency holdings acquired by the federal government via criminal and civil forfeitures. However, the ARMA bill also outlines several other potential acquisition methods. These include converting non-Bitcoin assets, gold certificate revaluations, tariff revenues, and strategic partnerships with individual states. Furthermore, the legislation requires federal agencies to provide a comprehensive accounting of all digital assets under their control within 60 days of the act's enactment. Unofficial data from Arkham Intelligence suggests the U.S. government currently holds approximately $26 billion in crypto assets, predominantly Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT.
Legislative Support and Future Implications
Proponents of the bill emphasize its potential to secure digital assets for the future and modernize the nation's reserve strategy. Representative Mike Rulli (R-Ohio) stated in a press release, "America should not be selling off strategic digital assets. We should be securing them for the future." The bill's advancement through Congress will be closely watched, as it represents a significant step in integrating digital assets into the U.S. financial framework. The legislation also mandates federal agencies to provide a full accounting of digital assets under their control within 60 days of enactment.
The introduction of ARMA comes amidst a broader discussion in Washington regarding cryptocurrency regulation and the U.S. government's role in the digital asset landscape. This legislative push signifies a deliberate effort to establish a long-term, strategic approach to managing digital assets, moving beyond short-term market fluctuations to focus on future financial security and technological adaptation.