US lawmakers are pressing ahead with efforts to establish a US Bitcoin reserve report, signaling one of the most significant steps yet in the government’s approach to digital assets.
On Sept. 13, Representative David P. Joyce introduced a House appropriations bill that directs the Treasury Department to evaluate the feasibility, custody arrangements, legal authority, and cybersecurity measures required to manage a federal Bitcoin reserve. The measure requires a full US Bitcoin reserve report within 90 days of enactment.
The legislation builds on President Donald Trump’s March executive order, which called for the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a broader US digital asset stockpile. The initiative would leverage crypto confiscated in law enforcement actions to help establish the reserve.
“This legislation ensures the federal government is fiscally responsible, leverages new technology, and is focused on national security,” — Rep. David P. Joyce, in a statement posted to X.
Source: Congress.gov
What the Treasury must deliver
If passed, the appropriations bill compels the Treasury Department to detail how it plans to handle interagency transfers, record the assets on the federal balance sheet, and identify any third-party contractors who may be tasked with custody.
The required US Bitcoin reserve report must also address potential hurdles to implementation, along with its impact on the Treasury Forfeiture Fund, which often manages assets seized through federal enforcement actions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has previously emphasized that the department is “exploring budget-neutral pathways” to bolster the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, highlighting the administration’s effort to avoid additional fiscal burdens while embracing digital assets.
“The government has already seized billions in Bitcoin from criminal activity. Using these holdings strategically could turn enforcement into a national financial advantage,” — Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, said in an interview.
Global context: other countries move ahead
The US Bitcoin reserve report comes at a time when other nations are also exploring similar strategies. On Sept. 9, Kazakhstan’s president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled plans to create a state fund dedicated to digital assets, describing it as a way to accumulate “promising assets in the new digital financial system.”
In Southeast Asia, lawmakers in the Philippines are weighing a proposal to establish a 10,000-Bitcoin reserve, which could make the country one of the first in the region to formally treat Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
Globally, countries collectively hold more than 517,000 BTC in their reserves equivalent to about 2.46% of Bitcoin’s total supply, according to tracking platform Bitbo. This underscores the growing trend of treating Bitcoin not only as a speculative investment but also as a sovereign-level reserve asset.
Implications for crypto investors
For crypto investors, the push for a US Bitcoin reserve report represents a potential shift in how the United States positions itself in the digital asset landscape. While the Treasury’s eventual recommendations remain uncertain, even the formal consideration of Bitcoin as part of a national reserve signals a level of legitimacy that could strengthen long-term market confidence.
“Any official recognition of Bitcoin as a reserve asset by the United States would be a watershed moment,” — Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy Digital, told Bloomberg. “It could fundamentally change how institutional investors view digital assets.”
The Treasury’s findings will be closely monitored by both policymakers and the market. If the US Bitcoin reserve report affirms Bitcoin’s feasibility within the federal balance sheet, it could encourage greater institutional adoption, potentially fueling demand and influencing global monetary debates.
The road ahead
The appropriations bill will next be considered by the full House, before potentially advancing to the Senate. Passage would set in motion the 90-day timeline for the Treasury to produce its US Bitcoin reserve report, making early 2026 a pivotal moment for crypto policy in Washington.
In the meantime, the debate reflects broader questions around fiscal policy, national security, and the role of emerging technologies in global finance. Whether the US ultimately joins the ranks of countries treating Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset will depend on how lawmakers balance innovation with risk.
As the conversation unfolds, the US Bitcoin reserve report will serve as a litmus test for how seriously the world’s largest economy intends to integrate digital assets into its financial system which is a decision with consequences for crypto investors at every level.