American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8957
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:06:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to create a secure system for managing Bitcoin and other digital assets held by the federal government, establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and explore budget-neutral methods for acquiring more Bitcoin to enhance national financial resilience.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Reserves: Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve for qualifying Bitcoin (forfeited assets) and a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for other digital assets within 180 days.
- Asset Management: Mandates depositing all qualifying Bitcoin into the Reserve and other digital assets into the Stockpile; allows sales of non-Bitcoin assets only to increase Bitcoin holdings or reduce national debt.
- Holding Requirements: Imposes a minimum 20-year holding period for Bitcoin in the Reserve, with prohibitions on sales or encumbrances during this time.
- Transparency Measures: Creates a Proof of Reserve system requiring quarterly public reports, cryptographic attestations, and independent audits, plus oversight by the Comptroller General.
- Consolidation and State Participation: Directs federal agencies to inventory and transfer holdings to the new structures; establishes a voluntary program for states to store their Bitcoin in segregated accounts.
- Acquisition Study: Requires a joint study by the Treasury and Commerce Secretaries on budget-neutral Bitcoin acquisition methods over five years, with annual reports to Congress.
- Private Rights Protection: Explicitly safeguards individuals' and businesses' rights to hold and control Bitcoin.
- Fund Modifications: Updates the Exchange Stabilization Fund reporting to include Bitcoin transactions and holdings.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces new federal structures for digital asset custody, absent in prior law.
- Establishes mandatory long-term holding periods and proof-of-reserve requirements for government Bitcoin.
- Amends 31 U.S.C. § 5302 to expand Exchange Stabilization Fund disclosures to cover Bitcoin.
- Creates mechanisms for handling forks and airdrops from Bitcoin holdings, including a five-year holding rule before potential sales.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Centralizes management under the Treasury Department, requiring coordination with Defense and Homeland Security for security; affects agencies holding seized assets by mandating transfers.
- Citizens: Enhances transparency through public reporting but does not alter private Bitcoin ownership; may indirectly influence markets if government holdings affect prices.
- International Relations: Positions the U.S. as a leader in digital asset reserves, potentially strengthening the dollar's global role through diversification.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies (especially Treasury, with input from Commerce and others).
- State governments (via voluntary participation).
- U.S. taxpayers (through potential debt reduction or market effects).
- Bitcoin and digital asset holders (protected property rights).
- Congress (receives studies and recommendations).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Affirms property rights in digital assets, aligning with principles of financial sovereignty without authorizing seizures.
- Raises questions about long-term fiscal policy by treating Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset similar to gold.
- Introduces novel regulatory authority for the Treasury over digital assets, including sales processes to minimize market disruption.
- Politically frames Bitcoin as a tool for financial innovation and resilience in a decentralized system.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
Cosponsors (23)
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2], Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (19 pages)