The U.S. bill directs the Treasury to produce a 90‑day blueprint for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, covering custody, cybersecurity, legal authority and accounting. The plan must outline interagency coordination and potential custodial vendors to operationalize a sovereign Bitcoin reserve.
-
Mandate: Treasury must deliver a detailed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve plan within 90 days if enacted.
-
Covers custody, cybersecurity, legal authority, accounting treatment and interagency coordination.
-
Governments now hold ~517,000 BTC collectively; proposals include repurposing seized crypto to fund the reserve.
U.S. Bitcoin reserve: Treasury ordered to map custody, legal and accounting steps—read the plan and next actions.
Publication: COINOTAG — 9 September 2025, 18:31 (Updated: 9 September 2025)
Byline: COINOTAG (reporter: Alexander Zdravkov)
What is the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve required by the new bill?
The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is a proposed sovereign holding of Bitcoin that the bill would require Treasury to plan for, covering custody, cybersecurity, legal authority and accounting. The legislation mandates a 90‑day blueprint to explain how the reserve would be established and managed.
How will the Treasury approach custody and cybersecurity?
The Treasury must evaluate custody models (self‑custody, third‑party custody, hybrid) and set cybersecurity standards. The bill calls for a risk assessment, contingency plans and a shortlist of qualified custodial providers suitable for high‑value, government‑grade storage.
Why do lawmakers describe the reserve as a national security measure?
Supporters frame the reserve as a financial hedge and national security asset that can bolster resilience against economic coercion. Rep. David P. Joyce said the plan helps the government “leverage new technology” while protecting fiscal stability. Officials have discussed using seized crypto assets to fund the reserve.
How would the Treasury fund and account for Bitcoin holdings?
The bill asks Treasury to present accounting treatment options, including budget‑neutral approaches and the treatment of seized assets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has signaled interest in repurposing seized crypto and other non‑appropriated sources to avoid a direct budget impact.
What is the global context for sovereign Bitcoin holdings?
Governments worldwide already hold substantial Bitcoin. Industry data show sovereign holdings total more than 517,000 BTC (nearly 2.5% of supply). Kazakhstan and the Philippines have discussed state‑level initiatives, and several jurisdictions manage seized or legacy holdings.
| Jurisdiction | Current / Proposed BTC | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple governments (collective) | ~517,000 BTC | Industry aggregates of seized and held reserves |
| Philippines (proposal) | 10,000 BTC (proposed) | Legislative consideration for strategic purchase |
| United States (proposal) | Undetermined | Congressional bill directs Treasury to define scope and funding |
How would the Treasury implement the blueprint (step‑by‑step)?
- Define legal authority and statutory basis for holding digital assets.
- Assess custody models and select cybersecurity standards.
- Establish accounting treatment and budgetary approach.
- Coordinate interagency roles and contingency planning.
- Produce a vendor shortlist and contracting recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will Treasury have to produce the plan?
Treasury would have 90 days to submit the required blueprint after the bill becomes law. The submission must outline operational, legal and accounting elements to establish the reserve.
Who in government would manage the reserve?
Management would be determined in the Treasury plan and likely involve interagency coordination between Treasury, the Department of Justice and security agencies, plus contracted custody providers for technical operations.
Key Takeaways
- Mandated blueprint: Treasury must map custody, cybersecurity, legal and accounting steps within 90 days.
- Funding options: Bill requests budget‑neutral approaches, including repurposing seized crypto assets.
- Global context: Governments hold ~517,000 BTC collectively; the U.S. move signals growing sovereign interest in digital assets.
Conclusion
The congressional bill moves the U.S. closer to formalizing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve by requiring a detailed Treasury blueprint that addresses custody, cybersecurity and accounting. If enacted, the plan will shape how the federal government treats Bitcoin as a potential sovereign asset and influence global policy debates. Monitor official Treasury submissions and congressional actions for next steps.
Authoritative sources referenced (plain text): Remarks by Rep. David P. Joyce; statements from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; industry aggregates on sovereign holdings. No external links are provided.
Reporter background: Alexander Zdravkov — reporter with three+ years covering digital assets, fluent in German, specializing in trend analysis.
