U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill Moves Forward—Could Bitcoin Become a National Asset?

Bitcoin has once again drawn attention in US crypto policy after the House Financial Services Committee passed the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8957) on September 16, 2026. 

The bill is directly related to plans to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a mechanism to place Bitcoin held by the US government within an official reserve framework.

This step is significant because the United States had previously established its Bitcoin reserve policy through an executive order, but it did not yet have a statutory basis specifically governing the existence of the reserve.

Key Takeaways

• H.R. 8957, or the American Reserve Modernization Act, was approved by the House Financial Services Committee by a vote of 28-21 and can now move to the next stage in the US House of Representatives.
• The bill provides for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve under the Treasury and a minimum Bitcoin holding period of 20 years based on the introduced text.
• The bill has not yet become law. It still requires proceedings in the House, Senate, and presidential approval before its provisions can take effect as law.

What Is the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?

The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is a concept for storing Bitcoin owned by the US government as a reserve asset. 

The idea first gained a formal policy basis when President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 6, 2025.

Under the executive order, the government established a policy to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve managed by the Treasury. 

The reserve is primarily capitalized with Bitcoin that has become government property through seizure or forfeiture proceedings in criminal and civil cases. Bitcoin placed in the reserve is generally not sold and is retained as a government reserve asset.

The executive order also directs the Treasury and Commerce departments to develop strategies for acquiring additional Bitcoin, provided that such strategies are budget-neutral and do not add costs for US taxpayers.

Therefore, the concept of Bitcoin as a national asset in the US has already emerged at the executive policy level. The latest bill seeks to provide a more permanent legislative framework.

Read Also: What Is a Crypto Strategic Reserve? Here's the Explanation

What Does the Latest Bitcoin Bill H.R. 8957 Regulate?

The American Reserve Modernization Act was introduced in the House on May 21, 2026, by Representative Nicholas Begich. 

Officially, the bill aims to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and related programs to manage government-owned Bitcoin transparently.

Under the introduced bill, the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve would be placed under the Department of the Treasury. 

Bitcoin that meets the criteria would be consolidated into the reserve, while crypto assets other than Bitcoin would be placed in a separate Digital Asset Stockpile.

One provision that has drawn attention is the holding period. The initial text of H.R. 8957 requires Bitcoin in the reserve to be held for at least 20 years and restricts the sale, exchange, or disposal of the assets during that period, subject to certain provisions concerning extraordinary circumstances.

The bill also includes a proof-of-reserve mechanism. The Treasury would be required to provide public reporting on the amount of Bitcoin, transactions, private key controls, and verification by an independent party.

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Has Bitcoin Already Become a US National Asset?

This term needs to be distinguished between government policy and legal status established through legislation.

The US government already owns Bitcoin and, since the 2025 executive order, has established a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve policy. However, H.R. 8957 has not yet become law. Committee approval in September 2026 is a legislative step, not final enactment.

On September 16, the House Financial Services Committee did include H.R. 8957 on its full-committee markup agenda. Recent reports state that the bill was subsequently approved by a vote of 28-21 and advanced to the next stage.

This means Bitcoin has not automatically become a national reserve asset with all the legal consequences outlined in the bill.

Read Also: The Fed Raises Interest Rates by 0.25% Today, Here's the Impact on Stocks, the Dollar, and Bitcoin

What Does This Mean for US Bitcoin Regulation?

If eventually enacted, the inclusion of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in federal law would represent one of the most significant forms of institutional Bitcoin adoption at the government level.

However, this does not mean the US government would automatically purchase large amounts of Bitcoin. The bill directs the Treasury and Commerce departments to study additional acquisition strategies that are budget-neutral. 

The bill also does not authorize the purchase of Bitcoin by adding debt or burdening taxpayers through new deficits.

Therefore, this development is better understood as a change in how the government treats Bitcoin in managing national assets, rather than simply a Bitcoin purchasing program.

In addition, the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve differs from the Digital Asset Stockpile. Bitcoin has its own reserve, while other digital assets are placed in a separate stockpile.

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What Happens Next?

Committee approval does not conclude the process. H.R. 8957 still has to go through stages in the House of Representatives. If approved by the House, the bill must receive Senate approval before it can be sent to the president for signature.

Therefore, the next developments to watch in US crypto policy are the final version of the bill reported by the committee, the House debate schedule, and whether the Senate will consider the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve provisions.

For the market, this development is also relevant because it could strengthen Bitcoin's position in discussions about government reserve assets. However, the legislative process is not yet complete, meaning the final status may still change.

Read Also: BTC This Week: Fed and CLARITY Act Become Key Bitcoin Price Drivers

Does This Make Bitcoin Legal?

The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is not the same as making Bitcoin legal tender or a legal means of payment in the United States.

H.R. 8957 focuses on the management of Bitcoin owned by the government. In fact, the bill specifically includes protections for private property rights and is not intended to give the federal government authority to seize Bitcoin that was lawfully acquired.

Therefore, the term Bitcoin legal should be used carefully. This bill is more concerned with the status of Bitcoin as an asset that can be owned and managed by the government, rather than changing Bitcoin's status into an official US currency.

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FAQ 

What Is the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve?

The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is a US government reserve mechanism for storing Bitcoin held by the government, particularly Bitcoin acquired through forfeiture proceedings.

Has the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill become law?

Not yet. H.R. 8957 has been approved by the House Financial Services Committee, but it still has to go through the House, Senate, and presidential approval.

How long will Bitcoin be held in the reserve?

The introduced text of H.R. 8957 establishes a minimum holding period of 20 years, with restrictions on selling or disposing of the assets during that period. The final details may change during the legislative process.

Will the US government buy Bitcoin with taxpayer money?

The bill provides for the study of additional acquisition strategies that must be budget-neutral and must not increase debt or the deficit. Therefore, this provision is not the same as a mandate to purchase Bitcoin directly with taxpayer funds.

Why Is the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Important for the Crypto Market?

If enacted into law, the reserve would provide a legislative framework for the US government to manage Bitcoin as a reserve asset. This development could become an important part of the trend of Bitcoin adoption by institutions and governments.