U.S. Representative Nick Begich (R-AK) introduced the American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA) on Thursday, a landmark legislative effort to formally establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve under federal law. The bill, co-led by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) and backed by 17 original co-sponsors, would direct the Treasury Department to maintain a dedicated Bitcoin reserve for at least 20 years, marking a significant push to enshrine digital assets into the nation’s long-term financial strategy.
The ARMA Act proposes consolidating billions of dollars in digital assets currently spread across federal agencies—largely acquired through forfeitures and penalties—into a centrally managed reserve. It mandates a transparent proof-of-reserve report, offering public accountability. “America’s reserves balance sheet is a critical component of our nation’s insurance policy,” Begich stated, arguing that perceptions of durable stores of value evolve and that Bitcoin’s fixed supply and decentralized nature make it a modern hedge against inflation.
The legislation aims to codify the strategic Bitcoin reserve initially created by an executive order from former President Donald Trump in May 2025. That reserve, while symbolically significant, has yet to receive any allocations and faced criticism from lawmakers like Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), who said it lacked inherent value. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later ruled out agency purchases for the reserve. ARMA attempts to cement the reserve with the “weight of law,” shielding it from shifting political winds, according to Golden. A parallel bill, the BITCOIN Act from Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), proposes purchasing 1 million Bitcoin over five years, but ARMA focuses more on codifying the existing stockpile and providing legal permanence.
The bill’s introduction comes amid a global rethink of Bitcoin’s role in national reserves. El Salvador and the Central African Republic have already adopted Bitcoin as legal tender, and while ARMA faces an uncertain path in a divided Congress, its bipartisan backing signals growing mainstream acceptance. Financial markets and crypto exchanges worldwide will closely monitor its progress through committee hearings and floor votes in the coming months.
