A bipartisan group in the House has introduced the strongest legislative push yet to treat Bitcoin as a long-term national asset. Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) and co-lead Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), along with 18 other co-sponsors, introduced the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026, or ARMA.
The bill would consolidate the federal government's existing Bitcoin holdings into a single reserve managed by the Treasury Department. The most striking provision mandates a minimum 20-year holding period for any Bitcoin placed in the reserve. Proceeds from any sale would be strictly used to reduce the national debt.
The legislation also establishes a Digital Asset Stockpile for tokens other than Bitcoin, drawing a clear distinction between the two. ARMA mandates quarterly public Proof of Reserve reports, verified by independent third-party audits, ensuring transparency.
The bill includes explicit protections for individuals' rights to own, transfer, and self-custody digital assets without government interference. It builds on President Trump's March 2025 executive order and an earlier BITCOIN Act from Rep. Begich.
For institutional investors, the emphasis on transparency and the restriction limiting sales to debt reduction frames Bitcoin as a fiscal tool, giving the government a direct incentive for its appreciation over the 20-year timeframe.