Proposed ARMA Bill Aims to Enshrine Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Into Law
Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) has introduced the American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA), which requires the U.S. Treasury to create and maintain a strategic reserve of Bitcoin for at least 20 years, and to establish reserves for other government-held cryptocurrencies. The bill consolidates billions in digital assets seized by federal agencies and mandates public proof-of-reserve reporting for transparency. The proposal aims to give these reserves permanent legal status, protecting them from executive or legislative policy shifts, and is co-led by Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) with 17 other co-sponsors. Current Bitcoin reserves, initiated by a Trump executive order in May 2025, remain under development with legal interpretations still being clarified. Despite support as a financial insurance policy, the proposed reserves face criticism, such as from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), who argues crypto lacks essential value. The government has not yet made any official Bitcoin allocations, and related legislation to expand federal Bitcoin holdings remains pending.
