US House Committee Advances Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill in 28-21 Vote
According to Cointelegraph, the committee approved H.R. 8957, known as the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026, in a 28-21 vote on Sept. 16. The bill would establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, along with a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for other digital assets held by the federal government.
Bill Would Formalize Federal Bitcoin Reserve
H.R. 8957 was introduced by Rep. Nicholas Begich on May 21, 2026. The legislation seeks to establish rules for the custody and management of Bitcoin acquired by the federal government through criminal or civil forfeiture proceedings.
The bill would require qualifying Bitcoin to be placed in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. It also calls for a separate structure to hold non-Bitcoin digital assets acquired by the government.
The legislation includes measures intended to increase transparency around federal digital-asset holdings. These include requirements for federal agencies to provide an accounting of assets under their control, as well as quarterly proof-of-reserve reporting and third-party audits.
20-Year Holding Period for Bitcoin
Under the proposal, Bitcoin held in the federal reserve would be subject to a minimum 20-year holding period. The measure therefore seeks to establish a long-term custody framework rather than treating the assets as holdings that can routinely be sold.
The bill would also direct the Treasury Department to study budget-neutral strategies for expanding the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. In addition, states would be allowed to voluntarily store their Bitcoin holdings through segregated accounts within the federal reserve structure.
The legislation further addresses digital assets generated through Bitcoin forks or airdrops involving government-controlled addresses, requiring those assets to be accounted for and held under the applicable federal custody structure.
Committee Vote Is Not Final Passage
The 28-21 committee vote advances H.R. 8957 but does not make the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve law. The measure would still need to pass the full House of Representatives and Senate before it could reach the president for consideration.
The bill would codify a framework that follows the federal government's existing policy of retaining certain Bitcoin acquired through forfeiture. The committee's action therefore moves the proposal from the committee stage toward consideration by the full House.
The next major step for H.R. 8957 is consideration beyond the House Financial Services Committee.
writer: Ethan Collins
Crypto Journalist
Ethan Collins reports on developments across the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. His work covers market movements, protocol updates, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in digital assets.
He focuses on presenting complex topics in a clear and accessible manner for a broad readership.
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