US Advances Bill for Strategic Bitcoin Reserve with Long-Term Custody Rules

The US House Financial Services Committee has advanced a bill to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and long-term federal custody rules for Bitcoin. H.R. 8957, known as the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026, was approved in a 28-21 vote on September 16.

The bill aims to formalize the federal government's handling of Bitcoin acquired through criminal or civil forfeiture proceedings. It would require qualifying Bitcoin to be placed in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and establish a separate structure for holding non-Bitcoin digital assets.

Key provisions include a minimum 20-year holding period for Bitcoin, quarterly proof-of-reserve reporting, and third-party audits. The Treasury Department would also study budget-neutral strategies for expanding the reserve.