Key Takeaways
- H.R. 3798 would codify Trump’s Government Order 14233, establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
- The U.S. at present holds 198,000 BTC value over $21.3B, with no new purchases utilizing taxpayer funds.
- The reserve’s goal is 1 million BTC; gross sales could be banned with no presidential waiver.
A Republican-sponsored invoice launched June 7 goals to enshrine former President Donald Trump’s government order making a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve into federal regulation.
The invoice, H.R. 3798, is led by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and would codify Government Order 14233, which consolidated federal Bitcoin holdings beneath the Treasury and halted authorities auctions of seized BTC.
Burchett said:
It’s time we handled Bitcoin just like the strategic asset it’s.
Present Bitcoin holdings & strategic objectives
The U.S. authorities at present holds about 198,000 BTC, value over $21.32 billion, acquired primarily via legal forfeitures.
Traditionally, a lot of that Bitcoin was auctioned at considerably decrease costs.
The brand new invoice seeks to cease additional gross sales and formalize BTC as a long-term strategic hedge.
Treasury’s function & future acquisitions
Treasury Secretary Vivek Ramaswamy described the reserve as “our digital Fort Knox,” emphasizing that no taxpayer funds might be used to purchase further Bitcoin.
Future BTC would come from seizures, swaps, or impartial transfers. Altcoins could be managed individually beneath a “Digital Asset Stockpile.”
Lengthy-term goals & legislative course of
The reserve’s five-year objective is 1 million BTC—round 5% of the full Bitcoin provide.
All BTC could be held by the Treasury, with gross sales prohibited with out presidential approval.
Assist & criticism
Supporters, together with Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), say the invoice gives monetary sovereignty akin to gold. Critics, like Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), warn it’s “crypto cosplay” that might undermine U.S. credibility.
Subsequent steps
The invoice now strikes to the Home Monetary Providers Committee for consideration.