US lawmakers have announced a renewed initiative to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve with the introduction of a new bipartisan bill aimed at acquiring approximately 1 million Bitcoin over a span of five years. Dubbed the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (ARMA), the legislation aims to create a Strategic Bitcoin (BTC) Reserve and a Digital Asset Stockpile for other federally held cryptocurrencies, managed by the US Treasury Department. The bill is spearheaded by Representative Nick Begich.
ARMA is backed by 16 members of Congress and builds upon the BITCOIN Act, which was both introduced in July 2024 and updated in March 2025. During an interview, Patrick Witt from the President’s Council of Advisors for Digital Assets referred to ARMA as “Version 2” of the BITCOIN Act and noted that the White House has invested significant time in understanding the legal aspects of establishing a Bitcoin reserve. “It’s a breakthrough as far as getting everything in place, legally sound, properly safeguarding the assets,” Witt stated.
The federal initiative comes as the United States currently possesses 328,372 Bitcoin, valued at over $25.5 billion, making it the largest national holder of Bitcoin. This significant asset, however, has been trimmed in portions through court orders over the years. US Representative Jared Golden, a co-sponsor, highlighted that although the US is already a major player in the Bitcoin market, there has been no established federal policy regarding asset management for these holdings.
Under the provisions of ARMA, the bill stipulates that Bitcoin must be retained for a minimum of 20 years, unless the need arises to liquidate portions in order to mitigate the national debt, which has surpassed $39 trillion. Both ARMA and the BITCOIN Act aim to secure up to 1 million Bitcoin while maintaining budget-neutral strategies, thereby circumventing the use of taxpayer funds.
US Representative Mike Carey emphasized that as digital assets gain prominence, the legislation could bolster the United States’ long-term economic standing and competitiveness on a global scale. Strive CEO and chairman Matt Cole declared ARMA as potentially the “single most important crypto legislation” emerging from Washington, D.C.
In terms of transparency and accountability, ARMA is designed to enhance measures related to property rights and financial oversight. The bill mandates quarterly proof of reserve reports and independent third-party audits for the Bitcoin reserve, fostering greater transparency. Furthermore, it emphasizes the protection of digital property rights, ensuring that the federal government cannot infringe upon individuals’ rights to own or self-custody their digital assets.
