In a significant show of bipartisan support for President Donald Trump’s forward-looking crypto agenda, Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) and Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced the American Reserve Modernization Act of 2026 (ARMA) on Thursday. The legislation aims to enshrine Trump’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve executive order into permanent law, ensuring America leads the world in digital asset innovation for decades to come.
The bill establishes the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve within the U.S. Department of the Treasury and creates a separate Digital Asset Stockpile for other federally held cryptocurrencies. All federal agencies must conduct a full accounting of their digital assets and transfer custody to Treasury for unified, professional management. Bitcoin in the reserve would be locked for a minimum of 20 years, with sales permitted solely to pay down the national debt. The measure also requires quarterly “Proof of Reserve” transparency reports, independent audits, and robust congressional oversight. Additionally, it directs a study on budget-neutral ways to grow the reserve without raising taxes or adding to the deficit.
A key provision affirms that the federal government “may not impair the lawful right of individuals to own, transfer, or self-custody digital assets,” delivering strong protections for private property rights against future government overreach.
The legislation has 18 original co-sponsors, including prominent Republicans such as Buddy Carter, Ben Cline, Barry Moore, Burgess Owens, Mike Lawler, Pat Harrigan, and Matt Van Epps, with Golden as the lone Democrat. It builds directly on Trump’s March 2025 executive order that established the reserve using seized Bitcoin, shielding the policy from reversal by future administrations. A companion Senate effort, the Mined in America Act by Senators Lummis and Cassidy, includes similar codification language.
This development highlights the Trump administration’s impressive string of crypto accomplishments. Since taking office, President Trump has rapidly shifted America from the Biden era’s regulatory hostility to a pro-innovation powerhouse. His administration has attracted billions in crypto investment back to U.S. shores, streamlined licensing for blockchain firms, and positioned America as the global leader in Bitcoin mining. The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve itself represents a historic first—treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset akin to gold or oil reserves. These moves have bolstered market confidence, driven Bitcoin prices to record highs, and created thousands of high-paying tech jobs in red states.
White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt recently teased further “breakthroughs” on the executive side. With strong momentum in both chambers, ARMA signals that Trump’s crypto vision is gaining lasting institutional support. By securing America’s digital future while protecting individual freedoms, this legislation could prove one of the most consequential economic reforms of the Trump era.
