Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill Heads to House Markup Sept. 16

The U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill will reach a key House committee stage on Sept. 16. The House Financial Services Committee scheduled H.R. 8957 for a 10:00 a.m. markup in Washington.

The American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 would establish the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in federal law under the Treasury Department. It would also create a separate stockpile for federally held non-Bitcoin digital assets.

The proposal builds on President Donald Trump’s March 2025 executive order. However, H.R. 8957 would put the reserve framework into statute and impose stricter rules on custody, reporting and future sales.

Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill Voting By House Committee

On Wednesday, September 16, the House Financial Services Committee is set to consider H.R. 8957, the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026. It would establish the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in law under the Treasury Department. This new crypto bill would also make forfeited Bitcoin part of the reserve while creating a separate stockpile for other seized digital assets.

Under the bill, non-Bitcoin assets could be sold to acquire additional BTC or reduce government debt. The Treasury and Commerce departments would also study budget-neutral ways to expand the reserve over five years. The legislation would prohibit using borrowing, new taxes or deficit spending to fund bitcoin purchases.

Following the bill’s passage, the Bitcoin holdings would be locked for 20 years. After that period, the Treasury could recommend selling no more than 10% of the reserve during any two-year period, subject to congressional approval. The bill would also require quarterly proof-of-reserves, third-party audits and oversight from the Government Accountability Office.

Besides, the US States could store their BTC in segregated Treasury accounts, while the legislation would not authorize the seizure of privately held BTC.

The vote on Sept. 16 vote by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee is an early step in the legislative process. Besides, the bill would also need approval from the full House and the Senate before being sent to the President for his signature.

President Trump’s Push for US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

The US already has a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, but it was established through executive action rather than legislation. President Trump signed Executive Order 14233 on March 6, 2025, creating the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile.

As per the executive order, the Treasury was asked to retain forfeited government bitcoin and generally prohibited its sale. However, it didn’t order any open-market purchases using the taxpayer funds.

In May 2026, White House adviser Patrick Witt said the government held about 328,372 BTC. However, other trackers estimate a holding anywhere from roughly 198,000 to 328,000 BTC.

The proposed legislation is separate from Senator Cynthia Lummis’ BITCOIN Act, which was first introduced in 2024 and reintroduced in March 2025. That bill would require the Treasury to purchase 1 million BTC over five years, but it has not passed.

Crypto Legislations In The US?

Crypto legislation has been in the limelight recently in the United States. The GENIUS Act, which regulates payment stablecoins, is the main crypto legislation to have become law so far. It was signed on July 18, 2025, after passing the Senate 68-30 and the House 308-122. Full implementation remains subject to agency rules.

The CLARITY Act has not become law, with the Senate scheduled to hold a cloture vote on Tuesday. Wednesday’s event is a committee markup, not a House floor vote or enactment of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or investment advice. Legislative proposals can be amended during the congressional process and may not become law in their current form.