House committee to weigh 20-year Strategic Bitcoin Reserve mandate

The proposal, introduced by Representative Nick Begich, creates two distinct structures within the Treasury Department: the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for other cryptocurrencies. Under H.R. 8957, the Treasury must establish secure storage within 180 days of enactment. Once deposited, Bitcoin remains encumbered for 20 years, with the Treasury secretary permitted to recommend selling only limited portions—capped at 10% every two years—after the holding period concludes.

Transparency requirements represent a core component of the bill. The Treasury would be forced to implement a public proof-of-reserve system, utilizing cryptographic attestations and independent third-party audits to verify holdings quarterly. While the bill does not mandate direct market purchases, it directs the Treasury and the Department of Commerce to conduct a study on budget-neutral acquisition methods. These strategies exclude new taxes or deficit spending, focusing instead on asset forfeitures, revaluing existing gold certificates, and utilizing surplus remittances from Federal Reserve Banks.

The legislation also includes a voluntary framework allowing state governments to house their Bitcoin in segregated federal accounts, provided they comply with Treasury security protocols. Crucially, the text includes protections for private ownership, explicitly forbidding the bill from being used as a pretext for federal seizure of lawfully acquired private assets. This committee markup follows an executive order from President Donald Trump in March 2025, which established an initial reserve framework primarily focused on assets seized through civil and criminal proceedings.