1,000,000BTC
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Proposed

Summary of Proposal:

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) has proposed establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve to strengthen the U.S. dollar and economy. The plan involves purchasing 1 million Bitcoin (about 5% of total supply) over time, to be held for 20 years and potentially used to pay down national debt. The reserve would be managed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, funded by diversifying existing Federal Reserve and Treasury funds, and aims to secure America's position as a global financial leader while addressing inflation concerns.

Timeline of Events:

October 7, 2013

User "crazy_rabbit" posts on BitcoinTalk forum suggesting the US government should start a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve with seized coins from the Silk Road.

December 15, 2020

Pierre Rochard publishes an article titled "Urgent Bitcoin Legislation," proposing to halt the auctioning of seized bitcoin and suggesting that a large strategic reserve of bitcoin may be crucial for national security.

June 14, 2024

David Bailey suggests that former President Trump should advocate for a significant national investment in Bitcoin, akin to historical land acquisitions like the Louisiana Purchase. The plan involves establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve for America, with funds time-locked for 100 years to ensure long-term preservation.

July 27, 2024

Senator Lummis announces the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve proposal at Bitcoin 2024 conference.

July 31, 2024

Senator Lummis officially introduces the Boosting Innovation, Technology and Competitiveness through Optimized Investment Nationwide (BITCOIN) Act in the U.S. Senate.

July 31, 2024

Bill read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Not Yet Proposed

Vote in Senate

Not Yet Proposed

Vote in House

Media Coverage:

July 3, 2024

Sam Lyman reports on growing discussions around Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, sparked by Donald Trump's pro-Bitcoin stance. The article reports that Senator Lummis "appears to be keen on the idea" of using bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. It explores the potential benefits of leveraging Bitcoin to strengthen the U.S. fiscal health and geopolitical position, drawing parallels with MicroStrategy's corporate strategy and El Salvador's national adoption.

July 27, 2024

Wired covers Donald Trump's keynote address at the 2024 Nashville Bitcoin Conference, where he announced plans for a strategic bitcoin reserve if elected. Trump pledged to retain all government-held bitcoin as a core of the national stockpile, appoint a crypto advisory council, and create a framework for stablecoins. He also promised to halt CBDC development, fire SEC chair Gary Gensler, and make regulations friendly to U.S. crypto mining. Senator Cynthia Lummis followed up by introducing a bill to assemble 1 million bitcoin over five years, potentially using it to reduce national debt.

November 11, 2024

Forbes contributor and Director of the Bitcoin Research Institute Bradley Rettler reports on the BITCOIN Act. Following crypto PAC spending and Senator Brown's defeat, Rettler expects te bill to move forward under likely new Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott. Rettler argues that the legislation has bipartisan support and may be prioritized in early 2024 amid concerns about other nations "frontrunning" the U.S. in bitcoin accumulation.