U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Advances Just Days After CLARITY Act Failure

Washington's broader crypto push just suffered a major defeat, but the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is moving separately through Congress.

The House Financial Services Committee has taken up H.R. 8957, the American Reserve Modernization Act, legislation designed to put a federal Strategic Bitcoin Reserve on a statutory footing and establish rules for managing government-held $BTC. The bill was introduced in May and referred to the committee.

The timing is striking. Just days earlier, the Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act in a 49–50 procedural vote, falling short of the 60 votes needed to move forward.

Government Bitcoin Could Be Locked Up for 20 Years

One of the most significant provisions is how long the government would hold its Bitcoin.

Under the proposal, $BTC deposited into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve would generally be subject to a minimum 20-year holding period, limiting the government's ability to sell or otherwise dispose of those assets.

The legislation also seeks greater transparency around federal Bitcoin holdings, including reporting and reserve-management requirements.

That could matter to Bitcoin markets because government $BTC has historically represented a potential source of selling pressure.