09.09.2025 08:27
Following reports from internet sources, U.S. lawmakers have recently introduced a bill prompting the Treasury Department to explore the potential of establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This legislative move, formalized through the U.S. House appropriations bill, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive assessment of the practicalities involved in managing and securing government-owned Bitcoin.
Within the framework of the proposed legislation, the Treasury is tasked with delineating the operational aspects of such a reserve, encompassing custody protocols, cybersecurity measures, and precise accounting practices for government-held digital assets. Spearheaded by Representative David Joyce, the bill received approval from the House Appropriations Committee, subsequently earning its place on the Union Calendar for further consideration.
The proposal explicitly requests the Treasury's insights into the viability of establishing both a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a wider U.S. digital asset stockpile. Beyond mere feasibility, the analysis should delve into the reserve's potential effects on the Treasury Forfeiture Fund, and evaluate which authorities would be crucial in enabling asset transfers, as stipulated in section 137 of the bill.
Furthermore, section 138 of the bill mandates a swift turnaround, requiring the Treasury Department to deliver a detailed 90-day plan concerning the digital asset reserve. This plan must comprehensively address custody architecture, relevant legal authorities, interagency procedures, and robust cybersecurity protocols essential for safeguarding virtual currencies held by the federal government.
According to Kurt Watkins, Founder of Watkins Legal, the passage of this bill could usher in an era of enhanced transparency, revealing the Treasury's specific custody standards, key management strategies, and accounting practices for Bitcoin at the federal level, the lawyer specializing in crypto projects suggests. His analysis highlights the potential for this initiative to set a benchmark for institutional custodians in the cryptocurrency space, given the operational and legal challenges involved.
