House Committee Advances Bill to Freeze Federal Bitcoin Holdings for 20 Years

The House Financial Services Committee voted 28–21 to move H.R. 8957, the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026, forward. The bill would create a statutory Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate Digital Asset Stockpile within the Treasury Department.

Key Provisions

• 20‑year holding period: Bitcoin placed in the reserve must remain there for at least 20 years from the date the law takes effect, with a ban on selling, swapping, auctioning, or encumbering the assets during that time.
• Annual audited reporting: Treasury must publish a public cryptographic proof of reserves and an annual report covering holdings, transactions, and private‑key control, verified by an independent third‑party auditor.
• Inventory and custody: Agencies have 60 days to provide a full accounting of their Bitcoin and other qualifying digital assets, and must transfer qualifying holdings to the reserve or stockpile within 30 days of the structures being established.
• Study of additional acquisitions: Treasury and Commerce have 180 days after enactment to study the risks, costs, and potential benefits of acquiring more Bitcoin, including whether such purchases could be budget‑neutral.

Legislative Context

The proposal builds on a 2025 executive order that directed the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate digital‑asset stockpile, while restricting disposal except under legal exceptions. The bill does not mandate new purchases; it only requires a study on that question.

Next Steps

The measure now moves to the full House for further action. If passed, the Treasury would assume custody and oversight, with the Comptroller General overseeing audits and reports.