U.S. lawmakers relaunch bipartisan bill to put a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve into law
U.S. lawmakers on May 21, 2026 introduced the American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA), reviving efforts to embed a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in federal statute. The move comes as the White House has signaled that a formal Bitcoin Reserve announcement could arrive within weeks, making the period one of the most consequential for U.S. crypto policy in recent months.
ARMA was introduced in the House by Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), with 17 original co-sponsors. The bill would codify President Trump's March 2025 executive order establishing the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and would require the Treasury to maintain Bitcoin holdings for a minimum of 20 years.
The U.S. government currently holds about 328,372 BTC, valued at more than $25 billion, accumulated largely through criminal and civil forfeitures tied to cases including Silk Road and Bitfinex.
In a notable departure from the earlier BITCOIN Act, ARMA drops the requirement to purchase 1 million BTC. Instead, it directs the Treasury and Commerce departments to study whether additional acquisitions are feasible, a change framed as a compromise to broaden bipartisan support.
The bill would also require quarterly public proof-of-reserve reporting and independent audits, adding Treasury-level transparency around the government's Bitcoin stockpile. ARMA further calls for a separate stockpile for non-Bitcoin crypto assets held by the government.
Begich said ARMA would protect crypto policy from "the whims of Congress or future administrations." Golden added that a stockpile created under ARMA would carry the "weight of law," rather than relying solely on executive action. That distinction is heightened by Treasury Secretary Bessent's stance against agency Bitcoin purchases, leaving congressional action as the primary route to expand reserves beyond seized assets.
The bill lands during a week already heavy with digital-asset policy activity. Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law last year, creating the first federal framework for dollar-backed stablecoins and requiring 100% reserves in U.S. dollars or short-term Treasuries.
At Consensus Miami earlier this month, White House adviser Patrick Witt—executive director of the President's Council of Advisors for Digital Assets—said a formal U.S. Bitcoin Reserve announcement was coming "in the next few weeks." Witt reportedly referred to ARMA as "Version 2" of the BITCOIN Act, suggesting alignment between the administration and the new legislative approach.
The administration's dual-track push—a White House announcement paired with legislation that would create durable legal footing—sets this effort apart from prior reserve initiatives. Unconfirmed reports also say Trump signed a fintech deregulation executive order on May 19 directing the SEC, CFTC, and four other regulators to streamline rules for fintech firms.
Despite the policy momentum, Bitcoin traded at $75,132, down 2.40% over 24 hours. Total crypto market capitalization stood at $1.50 trillion, with broader macro uncertainty continuing to pressure prices. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index was 28 out of 100, in "Fear" territory.
The divergence between headline policy developments and muted market reaction mirrors prior episodes, including the SEC's approval of Nasdaq Bitcoin index options, where regulatory positives did not immediately lift prices amid macro headwinds.
Looking ahead, ARMA must clear committee before a House floor vote. A Senate floor vote could come as early as mid-June 2026, according to a single source, though there is no confirmation on the congressional calendar. The White House's promised Bitcoin Reserve announcement, based on Witt's comments, is expected within weeks.
With the GENIUS Act already enacted, the CLARITY Act still awaiting Senate passage on broader digital-asset jurisdiction, and ARMA now targeting the reserve itself, the U.S. legislative scaffolding for crypto policy is expanding at a pace the industry has not previously seen.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
