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HR8957119th CongressWALLET

American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

In Committee

Summary

Federal Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile centralize how the government holds, secures, and disposes of cryptocurrency. The bill sets long mandatory holding periods, public audits, and strict rules for any sales or transfers.

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  • Federal agencies must inventory and deposit qualifying Bitcoin into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and other digital assets into the Digital Asset Stockpile. Agencies keep custody during a short interim period and may not sell or otherwise dispose of Bitcoin except narrowly for national security or court-ordered restitution.
  • The Reserve enforces a 20-year minimum holding period for deposited Bitcoin and limits post-holding sales to up to 10% of Reserve assets in any two-year window under rules meant to avoid market disruption. Forks and airdrops face a five-year hold and only the dominant fork is automatically retained.
  • States may opt into segregated Reserve accounts under contract terms that set security, liability, and withdrawal rules. The Act requires quarterly public cryptographic attestations, independent audits, Comptroller General oversight, and directs Stockpile proceeds to either increase Reserve holdings or reduce the national debt while prohibiting acquisition by borrowing.

*Aims to avoid new deficit spending by requiring budget-neutral acquisition studies and directing transaction proceeds toward Reserve increases or debt reduction.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New Treasury Bitcoin Reserve and Stockpile

If enacted, the Treasury would create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile within 180 days. The government would publish quarterly Proof of Reserve reports with cryptographic attestations and independent audits. All qualifying Bitcoin would go into the Reserve and be held at least 20 years. Two years before a 20-year term ends, Treasury would recommend continuing holding or limited sales. After the 20-year hold, Treasury could recommend selling up to 10% of Reserve assets in any two-year window. Agencies must inventory holdings within 60 days and transfer them within 30 days after certification. States may place state Bitcoin in segregated Reserve accounts under contract and keep title. Forks and airdrops to government addresses must be held five years. After five years, the Secretary would keep the fork with the largest market cap and may sell the others. Proceeds from Stockpile sales would be used only to add to the Reserve or reduce the national debt. Some proceeds from selling non-dominant fork assets would go to the Treasury general fund.

Protecting lawfully owned Bitcoin

If enacted, the bill would say the federal government may not seize or impair lawfully acquired Bitcoin. It would affirm your right to buy, hold, transfer, or sell Bitcoin under the law. It would recognize self-custody of private keys as a protected right.

Studies on Bitcoin Buys and Sales

If enacted, the Treasury and Commerce Secretaries would report within 180 days on lawful, budget-neutral ways to acquire more Bitcoin and give annual updates for five years. The study must identify candidate mechanisms and say whether acquisitions could be budget-neutral and would not authorize borrowing, new taxes, or deficit spending. Also, the Treasury would report to Congress within one year on conditions that could allow selling qualifying Bitcoin before the 20-year hold, including national security or financial stability exceptions.

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

  • Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

  • Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

    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

  • Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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