BPI Analyst Details ARMA Bill's 20-Year Bitcoin Custody Rules

On June 5, 2026, BPI's Ken Egan outlined how the American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA) would formalize Treasury custody of forfeited Bitcoin with quarterly proof-of-reserves and independent audits. The bill, introduced May 21 by Rep. Nicholas Begich with 16 bipartisan co-sponsors, imposes a mandatory 20-year holding period that removes potential sell pressure and signals long-term federal confidence in Bitcoin. A 180-day Treasury-Commerce study on expanding holdings and a five-year ban on forked or airdropped asset sales further embed institutional legitimacy while contrasting with earlier proposals to purchase one million BTC.