American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a federal Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate Digital Asset Stockpile inside the Treasury to hold government Bitcoin and other digital assets, with strict custody, audit, and transparency rules and long holding periods.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Public Proof of Reserve and Reporting
If enacted, the Treasury would publish quarterly public reports showing total holdings, transactions, and proof of control of private keys. The reports would include a public cryptographic attestation and be verified by an independent auditor with cryptography expertise. The Government Accountability Office would provide oversight. The Secretary would also be able to set custody, accounting, and cybersecurity rules in consultation with Defense, Homeland Security, and industry experts.
20-Year Hold for Treasury Bitcoin
This bill would require Treasury to hold all Strategic Reserve Bitcoin for at least 20 years. For Bitcoin the government already has, the 20 years would start at enactment; for new deposits it would start on deposit. No Reserve Bitcoin could be sold, swapped, auctioned, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of during that period. The Secretary must report within 1 year on possible early-sale exceptions and must send Congress recommendations two years before the 20 years end. After 20 years, the Secretary could recommend selling up to 10% of reserve assets during any two-year period.
Limits on Proceeds and Budget Study
The bill would let Treasury sell or convert non-Bitcoin Stockpile assets only if the money is used to add Bitcoin to the Strategic Reserve or to reduce the national debt. The Secretary and Commerce must study budget-neutral ways to acquire more Bitcoin and report initial findings within 180 days, with annual updates. The study would evaluate listed options like converting Stockpile assets, forfeiture receipts, gifts, or cooperative programs. The bill would not allow acquiring Bitcoin by borrowing, creating new taxes, or deficit spending.
New Treasury Bitcoin Reserve and Stockpile
This bill would require the Treasury Secretary to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile within 180 days. Federal agency heads would have to report all Bitcoin and other digital assets within 60 days. Agencies would be barred from selling, encumbering, or disposing of Bitcoin during the inventory and until Treasury certifies its systems, except for national security, court orders, or returning assets to victims. Once Treasury certifies operations, agencies would transfer holdings to Treasury custody within 30 days under secure procedures.
Protection for Private Bitcoin Owners
This bill would state that nothing in the Act allows the federal government to seize or impair lawfully acquired Bitcoin. It would affirm your right to buy, hold, transfer, or control Bitcoin under law. It would also affirm the right to self-custody of private keys.
Optional State Bitcoin Custody Program
If enacted, States could opt to store their Bitcoin in segregated accounts within the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve under a contract. The contract would keep State ownership, cover security duties, and require coordination with Treasury on access controls. States could withdraw or transfer holdings under the contract and would explicitly accept custody risks. States would also keep title to forks or airdrops from their holdings.
Rules for Forked and Airdropped Assets
If enacted, the Treasury would identify and store any assets from forks or airdrops sent to government-controlled addresses. Those forked or airdropped assets could not be sold or disposed of for five years unless Congress expressly allows it. After five years, Treasury would keep the forked asset with the largest public market capitalization and could sell the others, with proceeds deposited into the Treasury general fund. The Secretary could recommend retaining a non-dominant asset if Commerce and experts find it has novel utility or strategic value.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
AK • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
ME • D
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7]
TN • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
UT • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]
OH • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
AL • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]
NC • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]
OH • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
IA • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]
AZ • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]
FL • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]
GA • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]
OH • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Moore (WV)
WV • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]
NC • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Evans (CO)
CO • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]
VA • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]
NC • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5]
TN • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
CA • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]
FL • R
Sponsored 5/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov