US House Financial Services Committee Passes Bill to Establish 'Bitcoin Strategic Reserve'

The US House Financial Services Committee has approved legislation that would integrate government-held Bitcoin (BTC) into a Treasury Department-managed strategic reserve, requiring holdings for at least 20 years.

According to voting records from the committee's meeting on April 16 (local time), the committee passed an amendment to the 'American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026' (H.R.8957) by a vote of 28-21 in favor, advancing it to full House consideration.

The bill's core provision requires federal agencies to consolidate digital assets under Treasury management within 180 days of enactment. It mandates the creation of two separate reserves: a 'Strategic Bitcoin Reserve' for Bitcoin acquired through civil or criminal forfeitures, and a 'Digital Asset Stockpile' for other digital assets.

Bitcoin placed in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve must be held for a minimum of 20 years from implementation date, with no sales, exchanges, auctions, or collateralization permitted during this period. The Treasury Secretary must submit recommendations to Congress two years before the 20-year holding period ends regarding whether to continue holding or gradually dispose.

All dispersed government-held Bitcoin and digital assets across federal agencies will be consolidated under Treasury within 60 days of enactment. Agencies must report holdings within 60 days, with eligible assets transferred to respective reserves within 30 days of the new system's implementation.

The bill also introduces a 'Proof of Reserve' transparency framework requiring annual public reporting on Bitcoin holdings, transaction history, and private key management, verified by independent third-party auditors. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will conduct regular oversight of management practices.

Committee Chairman French Hill described the legislation as strengthening security, transparency, and accountability for government-held digital assets previously scattered across federal agencies.