US Lawmakers Require Treasury Study on Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Security and Implementation
Representative David P. Joyce introduced House appropriations bill H.R. 5166 on Friday, September 6, 2025, directing the Treasury Department to examine the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and US Digital Asset Stockpile. According to Cointelegraph, the House Appropriations Committee has approved the measure and placed it on the Union Calendar for potential floor consideration.
The legislation requires Treasury to deliver a comprehensive report within 90 days of enactment. The report must address feasibility, custody standards, legal authority, and cybersecurity measures for federal digital asset holdings. Treasury must also explain how Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies would appear on government balance sheets and identify potential third-party custody contractors.
The bill mandates analysis of interagency transfer procedures and potential impacts on the Treasury Forfeiture Fund, which currently manages assets seized in criminal proceedings. Joyce stated the legislation ensures government fiscal responsibility while leveraging new technology for national security purposes.
Federal Action Builds on Growing State Movement
This congressional initiative represents the next step in America's Bitcoin reserve strategy following President Trump's March 2025 executive order. The executive order established the framework but left implementation details unresolved, prompting lawmakers to require specific operational guidelines from Treasury officials.
The federal bill gains significance as we previously reported that 15 US states have introduced Bitcoin reserve legislation throughout 2025. States including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wyoming have proposed allocating public funds to Bitcoin reserves, creating momentum that now reaches federal levels. This state-level activity demonstrates widespread political support for government cryptocurrency holdings beyond Washington.
Bloomberg previously reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the department is exploring budget-neutral pathways to expand Bitcoin holdings. The US government currently controls approximately 198,000 BTC worth $18.3 billion, primarily from criminal asset seizures including Silk Road and Bitfinex cases.
Global Race for Digital Asset Reserves Accelerates
The US legislative action occurs amid international competition for Bitcoin reserves, with governments worldwide now holding over 517,000 BTC representing 2.46% of total supply. Visual Capitalist data shows the US leads with 198,000 BTC, followed by China with 190,000 BTC from the PlusToken seizure.
Several nations have announced similar reserve strategies in recent months. Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined plans for a national digital asset fund targeting promising blockchain assets. The Philippines Congress considered legislation to establish a 10,000 BTC strategic reserve, potentially making it Southeast Asia's first nation to formally adopt Bitcoin as a strategic asset.
El Salvador continues expanding its Bitcoin treasury to 6,135 BTC through daily purchases, while Bhutan quietly accumulated over 8,500 BTC through hydroelectric-powered mining operations. These developments demonstrate how smaller nations are positioning themselves as early adopters in the transition toward digital monetary systems, gaining technological leadership advantages before widespread global adoption occurs.
