US Treasury has 90 Days to Plan Bitcoin Reserve Strategy
Lawmakers in the United States have recently directed the US Treasury Department to compile a detailed report on the establishment of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, a move outlined in bill HR 1566 as part of the government appropriations process for the fiscal year concluding on September 30, 2026.
The bill specifically instructs Treasury officials to evaluate the feasibility of not only establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve but also creating a broader digital asset stockpile. A critical aspect of this evaluation involves understanding how these reserves would be integrated with the existing Forfeiture Fund, a mechanism currently responsible for managing assets confiscated by federal agencies.
In addition to outlining the assessment of a potential Bitcoin reserve, the bill also sets out reporting requirements and emphasizes the importance of implementing robust security measures. The Treasury Department is mandated to clarify how bitcoin and other digital assets would be reflected on the federal balance sheet, disclose details regarding custody arrangements, and address cybersecurity safeguards. Furthermore, lawmakers seek to identify potential third-party contractors that could oversee asset custody and ascertain the legal foundations that would underpin the establishment of such a reserve. The overarching goal is to ensure that any reserve created is not only secure but also operationally viable.
According to the bill, the findings of the study must be presented to the relevant House and Senate committees within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. This timeframe underscores the sense of urgency with which lawmakers are approaching the issue of establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve.
The enactment of bill HR 1566 builds upon prior efforts to develop a formal policy regarding a US bitcoin reserve. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that contemplated the creation of such a reserve, although a definitive timeline for its implementation remains uncertain. Additionally, Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced the BITCOIN Act, another legislative proposal aimed at formalizing the US’s stance on a bitcoin reserve, yet this bill has not yet passed Congress.
The absence of a clear framework has led to ambiguity among market participants regarding the government’s strategy for handling digital reserves. As the 90-day deadline approaches for the delivery of the report to the House and Senate committees, industry experts are eagerly anticipating a clearer indication of the US government’s approach to bitcoin as a strategic asset.
