Bitcoin News Today: Treasury to Map Out Bitcoin's Role in U.S. Financial Future

U.S. lawmakers are pushing forward with legislative efforts to establish a framework for the secure custody and management of Bitcoin held by the federal government. A bipartisan bill, HR 5166, introduced by Representative David Joyce (R-OH) on September 5, mandates the Treasury Department to develop a comprehensive plan for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile. The bill, which is part of a broader fiscal year 2026 appropriations package, was approved by the House Appropriations Committee and placed on the House’s Union Calendar for further consideration.

The legislation requires the Treasury to submit a 90-day report assessing the feasibility of establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This report will detail how such a reserve would be governed, including custody arrangements, cybersecurity protocols, legal authorities, and interagency coordination mechanisms. Additionally, the Treasury is tasked with outlining the accounting treatment for Bitcoin on the federal balance sheet and the potential impact on the Treasury Forfeiture Fund. The bill also specifies that the Treasury must identify any third-party contractors responsible for the custody of government-held digital assets. The move reflects a growing recognition of Bitcoin’s strategic value and the need for robust frameworks to manage its risks [4].

The push for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve aligns with broader policy shifts under the Trump administration, which has taken a more favorable stance toward cryptocurrency. The administration previously issued an executive order in March 2025 that outlined the conceptual basis for a reserve but left the operational details undefined. This legislative effort aims to codify that vision into law and provide the Treasury with clear directives on how to implement the reserve. Legal experts suggest that the bill will require the Treasury to address the same operational and legal challenges faced by institutional custodians, such as custody standards, key management practices, and cybersecurity protocols [4].

In parallel with legislative developments, U.S. Bancorp has announced the resumption of its institutional Bitcoin custody services. The bank, which previously paused these services in 2022 due to regulatory uncertainty, is now offering custody solutions to institutional investment managers and Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). NYDIG, a leading provider of Bitcoin-related financial infrastructure, will serve as the sub-custodian, while U.S. Bank will act as the client-facing intermediary. The move is seen as a response to the growing popularity of spot Bitcoin ETFs, which have attracted significant investor interest as the price of Bitcoin continues to rise. With over $11.7 trillion in assets under custody, U.S. Bank is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving digital asset landscape [2].

The legislative and institutional developments signal a shift toward mainstream adoption of Bitcoin in the U.S. financial system. The Treasury’s potential role in managing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve could set precedents for custody and regulatory standards, influencing both public and private sector approaches. Meanwhile, the revival of institutional custody services by major banks like U.S. Bank underscores the increasing legitimacy of Bitcoin as an asset class. As the bill moves toward potential floor consideration in the House, its passage would mark a significant step in formalizing the government’s engagement with digital assets [4].

Market activity also highlights the growing corporate interest in Bitcoin. For instance, Bitcoin treasury firm Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, has increased its Bitcoin holdings to 638,460 BTC, representing over 3% of the total supply. The firm recently acquired 1,955 additional BTC at an average price of $111,196, funded through equity offerings. Strategy’s aggressive accumulation strategy has positioned it as one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin, despite challenges such as its exclusion from the S&P 500 index. The firm’s stock price has fluctuated in response to market dynamics, though its Bitcoin holdings remain a central pillar of its value proposition [6].

The convergence of legislative action, institutional infrastructure, and corporate investment suggests that Bitcoin is increasingly being viewed as a strategic asset. As the U.S. government moves to define its role in managing digital assets, the outcomes of these efforts could have wide-ranging implications for regulatory policy, market structure, and investor confidence.

Source:

[1] title1 (https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/5119c30e-272d-43de-beb7-37306f1c6bde)

[2] title2 (https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/us-bancorp-revives-institutional-bitcoin-custody-service-2025-09-03/)

[3] title3 (https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/news-and-stories/article-library/us-bank-resumes-bitcoin-crypto-custody-services-for-institutional-investment-managers.html)

[4] title4 (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-lawmakers-seek-treasury-report-013752516.html)

[5] title5 (https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/policy/house-bill-orders-90-day-plan-for-a-strategic-bitcoin-reserve)

[6] title6 (https://bitbo.io/news/strategy-adds-bitcoin-holdings/)