$BTC

👀 Nick Begich's 'Strategic Bitcoin Reserve' Bill Is Now Public

Congressman Nick Begich’s proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill has officially been released as public legislative text, giving the crypto industry and Washington its first clear look at a formal plan to turn federal Bitcoin holdings into a long-term national asset.

🗓️ A Major Step Forward

On May 21, Begich (R-AK) and Democratic co-lead Jared Golden (D-ME) formally introduced the "American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026" (ARMA), or H.R. 8957. This is the first time the U.S. government has seriously considered turning Bitcoin into a formal strategic reserve asset. The bill aims to codify President Trump’s March 2025 executive order, making the policy permanent and harder for future administrations to undo.

🔑 Key Bill Provisions

· 20-Year Mandatory Hold: All BTC in the reserve must be held for at least 20 years, preventing the government from selling assets on the open market.
· Two Separate Funds: The bill creates a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve for BTC and a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for other federally held digital assets.
· Budget-Neutral & Study Requirement: Instead of a fixed 1 million BTC purchase target, the bill directs the Treasury and Commerce departments to study ways to expand reserves without increasing taxes or the national debt.
· Asset Consolidation: The bill would also require federal agencies to provide a full accounting of all digital assets currently held through forfeitures, penalties, and legal proceedings.

📊 Market Impact Watch

The bill has triggered important market discussions. The 20-year lockup period means seized or forfeited BTC would become a long-term sovereign asset rather than inventory that could be auctioned off by each administration. This comes amid a rough period for BTC, with prices recently trading near $60,700 and record outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs. While this legislation won’t fix short-term price weakness, it sends a strong long-term political signal.

Stay tuned to Gate for more updates and potential market moves! 🚀

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