Rep. Nick Begich To Reintroduce U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill

U.S. Representative Nick Begich is preparing to reintroduce legislation that would establish $BTC as a formal strategic reserve asset of the United States, this time under the updated title of the American Reserves Modernization Act (ARMA). The bill is expected to be formalised within the coming weeks.

From the BITCOIN Act to ARMA

The move is a rebranding and revision of the earlier BITCOIN Act, which Begich originally introduced alongside Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) in March 2025. Begich is now preparing to reintroduce the legislation under the new name — the American Reserves Modernization Act — with the bill still seeking to codify President Donald Trump's executive order establishing a permanent U.S. Bitcoin reserve.

Begich said the rebrand is intended to broaden bipartisan support and reinforce Bitcoin's treatment as a strategic reserve asset. Speaking at the Bitcoin Conference, Begich stated that he plans to reintroduce the bill following consultations with the House Financial Services Committee and other key committees, which have provided feedback on what the bill needs to include for them to vote yes.

The bill would codify Trump's executive order, establishing Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset similar to gold. The original bill called for acquiring one million Bitcoin over five years using budget-neutral strategies. Preventing the Treasury from selling those assets for 20 years would help accomplish the long-term goal.

Locking In Policy Before the Political Window Closes

A central argument behind the legislation is durability. Begich stressed that congressional action is needed to preserve such policies and prevent future administrations from reversing them. In his own words, "We don't know what the next administration is going to be like. What is their stance going to be on Bitcoin and other digital assets? You want to take the opportunity when you have it to lock in the gains that you experienced under one administration or another, and that's where Congress can really act."

The reintroduction signals that a strategic Bitcoin reserve remains an active item on the U.S. policy agenda. With both a House sponsor in Begich and Senate backing from Lummis, the bill has bipartisan framing potential, though its path through committee and to a floor vote remains uncertain.

The push also carries a self-custody dimension. At the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas, Begich declared Bitcoin self-custody as "fundamental to the principles of financial sovereignty, privacy and personal liberty," and argued that developing laws to promote self-custody is good for the crypto industry.

The bill's progress will also depend on how it interacts with other digital asset legislation moving through Congress, including stablecoin frameworks that have drawn attention from traditional financial institutions.

Sources:
FXStreet — U.S. lawmaker pushes Bitcoin self-custody protections amid revived reserve bill
The Block — Rep. Begich plans revival of Bitcoin strategic reserve bill under new name
Official Press Release — Congressman Nick Begich and Senator Lummis Introduce the BITCOIN Act

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