Bitcoin News Today: U.S. Considers Bitcoin as a Strategic Resource in 90-Day Treasury Review

The U.S. House of Representatives has moved forward with H.R. 5166, a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill that mandates the Treasury Department to develop a framework for the custody and management of Bitcoin and digital assets held by the federal government. Passed on September 5, 2025, the bill explicitly directs the Treasury to create a 90-day plan assessing the feasibility of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a broader U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile. The legislation allocates $239.424 million to the Treasury Department for fiscal year 2026, with specific line items dedicated to financial assistance programs, cybersecurity, and information technology modernization. Notably, the bill does not authorize the purchase of Bitcoin but compels the Treasury to evaluate the accounting, legal, and operational implications of managing digital assets, including the role of third-party custodians [2].

The proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is intended to function similarly to the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, serving as a reserve of digital assets that could be leveraged for national economic or financial stability purposes. The bill requires the Treasury to assess how such a reserve would appear on the federal government’s balance sheet and its potential impact on existing mechanisms like the Treasury Forfeiture Fund. It also mandates an analysis of the infrastructure required to secure and manage these assets, including the role of external contractors. This initiative reflects growing congressional interest in the integration of digital assets into the national financial framework, particularly as the global regulatory landscape continues to evolve [2].

Separately, H.R. 5166 includes a provision explicitly prohibiting the use of allocated funds for the development or design of a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). This clause, found in Section 130, signals a legislative stance against the immediate pursuit of a federal digital currency, while still allowing for exploration of Bitcoin and other digital assets as part of the strategic reserve. The move aligns with ongoing debates within the U.S. government about the role of digital currencies and the balance between innovation and regulatory oversight. The bill’s inclusion of both forward-looking digital asset initiatives and restrictive measures on CBDC development highlights the nuanced approach lawmakers are taking in shaping the future of financial policy [2].

The timing of the bill’s introduction comes amid broader discussions about the U.S. lagging behind European regulatory progress in the crypto space. While the U.S. remains divided on a cohesive regulatory framework, the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has already attracted significant investment and increased trading activity on major platforms. This legislative delay in the U.S. has prompted some to question whether the country is losing its edge in the global crypto race, especially with regulatory clarity emerging elsewhere. The push for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve may represent a strategic step toward reestablishing U.S. leadership in the digital asset space, particularly as Congress seeks to address the growing demand for clarity in the sector [2].

As H.R. 5166 progresses through the legislative process, it will be closely monitored by both the Treasury Department and the private sector for its potential implications on digital asset policy. The bill’s requirements for a 90-day feasibility report will provide critical data on the challenges and opportunities associated with the creation of a national Bitcoin reserve. Given the increasing role of digital assets in global finance, this development may influence future regulatory approaches not only in the U.S. but also internationally. The eventual outcome of the bill could set a precedent for how governments around the world manage and utilize cryptocurrencies in a broader economic context [2].

Source: [1] US Congress asks Treasury to develop Bitcoin strategic (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/5119c30e-272d-43de-beb7-37306f1c6bde) [2] House Bill orders 90-day plan for a strategic Bitcoin reserve (https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/policy/house-bill-orders-90-day-plan-for-a-strategic-bitcoin-reserve) [3] Europe Takes the Lead in Crypto as U.S. Stalls on Regulation (https://cryptodnes.bg/en/europe-takes-the-lead-in-crypto-as-u-s-stalls-on-regulation/) [4] Is The SEC and CFTC Working Toward Unified Crypto (https://www.onesafe.io/blog/harmonizing-crypto-regulations-impact-on-startups)