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Congress Takes a Bold Step Toward Establishing a Bitcoin Reserve: What You Need to Know

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The United States might be initiating its first official measure towards accepting a Bitcoin reserve as an element of its national strategy. A fresh proposition presented to Congress signifies a momentous change in US policy regarding BTC and digital assets. This legislation instructs the Treasury to investigate the plausibility of establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, illustrating a transformation in how the government interacts with cryptocurrencies. 

Congress Steps Forward To Investigate A US Bitcoin Reserve

Submitted on September 5, 2025, by Representative Mr. Joyce of Ohio, this new bill, H.R. 5166, mandates the Treasury to produce a detailed report within 90 days of enactment. This report needs to evaluate the feasibility of forming a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a US Digital Asset Stockpile, considering their impacts on the government’s balance sheet and the Treasury Forfeiture Fund. By examining these mechanisms, Congress is positioning the US government to not only possess BTC but also to embed it directly into fiscal operations. 

The bill necessitates meticulous planning regarding custody and security. Treasury officials, in collaboration with third-party custodians, will be required to devise a structure that can securely manage federal Bitcoin assets, taking into account risks stemming from both technical weaknesses and global threats. This necessitates outlining custody infrastructure, legal authorities, and agency transfer protocols to guarantee efficient asset management across federal departments. 

The classified segment of the report, coordinated by the National Security Agency (NSA), emphasizes the national security ramifications of maintaining digital assets on a large scale. One significant clause instructs the Treasury to investigate the role of confiscated Bitcoin in forming the reserve. By formalizing these assets into a reserve, it would provide them with new fiscal utility while establishing clear protocols on their integration into the Treasury’s records. 

Throughout the years, US law enforcement has routinely seized Bitcoin through criminal actions, rendering the government one of the most substantial holders of the asset at various intervals. One notable incident occurred in November 2021, when authorities seized thousands of BTC associated with Silk Road, a notorious online black market infamous for facilitating money laundering and other illicit activities. 

Reiterating, the new bill presented to Congress calls for clarification of how BTC and other digital assets should be reflected on the federal government’s balance sheet. This matter carries significant implications for accounting practices, sovereign reserves, and transparency, as Bitcoin is unpredictable and does not function like conventional fiat assets or commodities. If executed, it would signify the first instance of BTC appearing as a line item in official US financial statements, indicating a substantial shift in monetary policy.  

White House Advisor Elevates BTC Reserve To A Major Priority 

While Congress forges ahead with H.R. 5166, certain members of the White House are making it clear that a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is not merely a legislative trial but a national priority. Patrick Witt, recently appointed as the Executive Director of the White House Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, affirmed that constructing a Bitcoin reserve is at the pinnacle of the administration’s agenda.

Witt clarified that the government is actively seeking innovative methods to obtain more BTC, reflecting an ambition to accumulate rather than merely manage its existing holdings.

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