Is a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Closer to Becoming Law? A House Panel Just Voted 28-21

Two House committees advanced crypto legislation on Wednesday, approving a bill to establish a Strategic Bitcoin (BTC) Reserve and a separate measure setting federal tax rules for digital assets.

The votes arrived one day after the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the CLARITY Act. The vote stalled a key effort to establish a clearer regulatory framework for the crypto industry.

Two Committees, Two Separate Tracks

The Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act failed to advance in the US Senate on September 15. House Financial Services Chairman French Hill and House Agriculture Chairman Glenn Thompson said afterward that Congress still needs to set rules for the sector.

The next morning, two separate bills cleared committee, evidence that work on digital assets has continued on other tracks.

The House Financial Services Committee approved H.R. 8957, the American Reserve Modernization Act, by 28-21. Representative Nick Begich introduced the bill in May.

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The American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA) just cleared the House Financial Services Committee.We built support with members of Congress, subject matter experts, Commerce, and Treasury. Significant effort was made by committee staff on this important legislation, and for… https://t.co/U7qq3dMFMc

— Congressman Nick Begich (@RepNickBegich) September 16, 2026

The measure would place federally forfeited Bitcoin in a Treasury reserve and hold it for at least 20 years. A separate stockpile would cover other digital assets.

“We cannot allow Bitcoin to be held by the federal government to languish in fragmented and inconsistent custody… It directs the Treasury Department to centralize the custody of all Bitcoin and other digital assets seized through the final criminal and civil forfeiture…” Representative Bryan Steil said.

According to Arkham Intelligence, the US government is estimated to hold 324,527 Bitcoin worth $24.8 billion at the time of writing.

Lawmakers Advance Crypto Tax Bill

The House Ways and Means Committee passed H.R. 10357, the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act, by 38-5. Chairman Jason Smith introduced the bill on September 14.

PASSED: The Ways and Means Committee just passed the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act — a historic step toward establishing a clear tax framework for digital assets.Through strong bipartisan collaboration, Republicans and Democrats came together to modernize outdated tax rules… pic.twitter.com/g5aUK7TVNL

— Ways and Means Committee (@WaysandMeansGOP) September 16, 2026

The bill seeks to establish a clear tax framework for digital assets. It also extends wash-sale rules to digital assets.

“This legislation would be the first-ever federal law to address the substantive tax treatment of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets – affecting the one in four Americans that currently hold some form of cryptocurrency, more than 67 million people,” Chairman Smith stated.

Each now needs a House floor vote, Senate passage, and a presidential signature, with the 119th Congress ending in January.

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