Bipartisan ARMA Bill Would Enshrine Trump’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Into Permanent Law

Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) and Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (ARMA) on Thursday, bipartisan legislation that would codify President Trump’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve executive order into permanent law and modernize how the United States manages digital reserve assets.

The bill establishes the reserve within the U.S. Department of the Treasury and creates a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for federally held non-bitcoin digital assets. All federal agencies would be required to provide a full accounting of digital assets currently held or controlled by the government and transfer custody to the Treasury for consolidated management.

This story is an excerpt from the Unchained Daily newsletter.

The core provisions are designed to lock the reserve in place for decades. Bitcoin held in the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve must be maintained for a minimum of 20 years. Sales are permitted only to reduce the national debt. The bill mandates quarterly “Proof of Reserve” public reports, independent third-party audits, and congressional oversight. It also directs a study on budget-neutral acquisition strategies to evaluate lawful methods for expanding the reserve without increasing taxes, deficit spending, or the national debt.

The legislation affirms that the federal government “may not impair the lawful right of individuals to own, transfer, or self-custody digital assets,” a property-rights provision aimed at preempting any future confiscation or forced-migration mandate.

The bill has 18 original co-sponsors, including Representatives Buddy Carter, Ben Cline, Barry Moore, Burgess Owens, Mike Lawler, Pat Harrigan, and Matt Van Epps. Golden is the only Democrat. The legislation builds on Trump’s March 2025 executive order, which created the reserve using forfeited bitcoin but remains reversible by a future administration. A Senate version from Senators Lummis and Cassidy, the Mined in America Act, includes a similar codification provision. White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt said at Bitcoin 2026 in late April that a “breakthrough” was coming from the executive branch side.