US Lawmaker's 2026 Bill Aims to Add Bitcoin to National Reserves

U.S. Representative Nick Begich on April 27 announced the reintroduction of a bill, now titled the American Reserves Modernization Act, aimed at positioning Bitcoin as a national reserve asset for the United States.

"The updated bill reflects feedback from the House Financial Services Committee and other key stakeholders, with revisions designed to strengthen Bitcoin's role in the U.S. financial system," a spokesperson for Representative Begich said in a statement.

While the bill does not specify an initial allocation amount, its reintroduction signals a persistent effort to diversify U.S. reserve assets beyond gold and foreign currencies. The move comes as institutional players increase their exposure to Bitcoin-related equities, with the Ohio State Teachers Retirement Fund recently boosting its stake in MicroStrategy (MSTR) to over $16 million.

If passed, the legislation could provide a significant long-term catalyst for Bitcoin, potentially increasing institutional demand and encouraging other nations to follow suit. The progress of the American Reserves Modernization Act through the House Financial Services Committee will be a key milestone to watch for the remainder of 2026.

A Strategic Shift in Reserve Asset Policy

The proposal to include Bitcoin in the nation's reserves represents a potential paradigm shift in monetary policy, acknowledging the digital asset's growing role as a store of value. The American Reserves Modernization Act, if enacted, would direct the Treasury Department to develop a framework for acquiring and holding Bitcoin. This move would place the U.S. among a small but growing number of nations exploring digital assets for their national reserves, a list that includes El Salvador.

The bill's journey through Congress will be closely watched by both the crypto industry and traditional financial institutions. Proponents argue that adding Bitcoin to reserves could hedge against inflation and geopolitical risks, while critics raise concerns about its volatility and environmental impact.

Institutional Interest Continues to Build

The legislative initiative coincides with a broader trend of institutional adoption of Bitcoin and related assets. Beyond the Ohio State Fund's recent purchase, other large asset managers have been increasing their holdings. Capital Group's American Funds Fundamental Investors (ANCFX) recently increased its holdings in MicroStrategy to 10.33 million shares, valued at approximately $1.78 billion. Investment giant Vanguard also boosted its MSTR stock holdings to almost $255 million.

This growing institutional interest provides a supportive backdrop for the proposed legislation, suggesting that traditional finance is increasingly comfortable with exposure to the crypto market. The performance of Bitcoin-related equities like MSTR, which was trading up 0.35% at $171.57 at the time of writing, will likely be a key data point for lawmakers considering the bill.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.