U.S. Sets 90-Day Deadline to Blueprint Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Framework

The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced a spending bill that includes directives for the Treasury Department to outline the feasibility and technical framework for establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile, marking a significant step in the U.S. government’s exploration of digital assets as strategic reserves. The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill (H.R. 5166) mandates the Treasury to deliver a report within 90 days of enactment, covering custody models, cybersecurity protections, and how Bitcoin and digital assets would appear on the federal government’s balance sheet [1]. This report is intended to clarify the impact on the Treasury Forfeiture Fund and outline interagency procedures for transferring and storing digital assets [2].

The bill also explicitly prohibits the use of funds for the design or development of a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or for decisions related to the discontinuation of paper currency. This restriction reflects a clear legislative stance on maintaining the legal tender status of paper currency while exploring alternative forms of digital assets [2]. Lawmakers have emphasized the urgency of the Treasury’s report, with a 90-day deadline intended to ensure rapid progress toward a structured framework for managing government-held crypto assets [3].

The development follows an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the year, which initiated the idea of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve by utilizing seized digital assets to build the stockpile. The Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has highlighted ongoing efforts to explore “budget-neutral pathways” to expand the Bitcoin reserve. If the bill is enacted and signed into law, it will represent a formalization of these strategic intentions, moving beyond executive directives into the legislative process [1].

The bill has also drawn attention to the need for transparency regarding third-party contractors involved in the custody of digital assets. The Treasury is required to identify potential custodians and assess the risks associated with their use, including cybersecurity threats and operational vulnerabilities. These requirements aim to establish a defensible and secure infrastructure for any future strategic reserves [1].

Internationally, other countries are also exploring similar initiatives. Kazakhstan, for example, has announced plans to create a state fund for digital assets, including a strategic Bitcoin reserve. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed the establishment of a State Digital Asset Fund, with oversight provided by central authorities, to accumulate “promising assets” in the evolving digital financial system. This follows earlier reports of the country considering a national crypto reserve using seized assets [4].

The Philippines is also in the early stages of considering a strategic Bitcoin reserve, with proposals to hold 10,000 Bitcoin, potentially making it the first country in Southeast Asia to adopt the asset as part of its national strategy. As of now, over 517,000 BTC is held in strategic reserves globally, accounting for 2.46% of Bitcoin’s total supply [1].

The U.S. legislative efforts reflect a broader global trend of governments recognizing the strategic value of digital assets. The U.S. bill’s emphasis on balance sheet representation and legal authority underscores the need for clarity in accounting and governance, while the cybersecurity and custody requirements highlight the operational challenges of managing digital reserves at scale [1]. These developments suggest that as more governments formalize their approach to digital assets, the demand for robust technical and legal frameworks will continue to grow.

Source: [1] US Congress seeks report ironing out details of Bitcoin ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-lawmakers-seek-treasury-report-ironing-out-details-bitcoin-reserve) [2] House Bill orders 90-day plan for a strategic Bitcoin reserve (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/house-bill-orders-90-day-013139840.html) [3] US considers formal Bitcoin reserve amid legislative urgency (https://cryptoslate.com/us-treasury-faces-a-90-day-deadline-to-map-out-strategic-bitcoin-reserve/) [4] Kazakhstan's President Calls for Crypto Reserve, Digital ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/kazakhstan-president-crypto-reserve-plans)