US Push to Legalize Crypto Mining as Part of Bitcoin Reserve Strategy

Two U.S. senators have introduced new legislation aimed at expanding domestic cryptocurrency mining and supporting the country’s emerging strategy around a potential national bitcoin reserve.

The proposed legislation, called the “Mined in America Act,” was introduced by Cynthia Lummis and Bill Cassidy. The bill seeks to strengthen the role of crypto mining in the United States while establishing a more structured federal approach to bitcoin reserves.

Linking Mining Policy to a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

The proposal builds on an earlier executive order signed by Donald Trump that outlined plans to create a strategic bitcoin reserve. The reserve would primarily be funded using bitcoin already held by the U.S. Treasury, much of which has been obtained through criminal and civil asset seizures.

Lawmakers backing the bill aim to formalize the policy through legislation, ensuring continuity beyond executive actions and reducing long-term regulatory uncertainty around digital assets and government-held bitcoin.

Certification Program for Mining Companies

At the center of the bill is a plan for the U.S. Department of Commerce to establish a voluntary certification program for cryptocurrency mining companies and facilities. Certified operations would need to meet specific standards related to security, operations, and supply chain sourcing.

Supporters of the bill believe such certification could influence how energy providers, regulators, and institutional partners work with mining companies, potentially integrating mining operations more closely into the broader U.S. industrial and energy sectors.

The bill also includes provisions encouraging mining companies to gradually reduce reliance on equipment manufactured by companies linked to foreign adversaries. This measure is intended to address the global concentration of mining hardware manufacturing, which is currently dominated by companies based in China.

While this shift could increase costs for mining companies in the short term, supporters argue it aligns with broader efforts to localize critical digital infrastructure and strengthen domestic manufacturing.

Mining Framed as Industrial and Energy Opportunity

Senator Lummis has long supported policies aimed at integrating digital assets into the U.S. financial system, and the new bill reflects a broader effort to establish a long-term national strategy around crypto infrastructure.

Senator Cassidy, meanwhile, has emphasized the industrial and economic potential of crypto mining, linking the industry to domestic manufacturing, job creation, and energy utilization. Mining operations are increasingly viewed not only as part of the digital asset industry but also as part of national energy and infrastructure development.

Strategic Reserve Could Influence Bitcoin Markets

One of the most closely watched aspects of the proposal is the strategic bitcoin reserve itself. Instead of periodically selling seized bitcoin, the government would adopt a holding strategy, potentially becoming a long-term holder of the asset.

Such a move could influence market dynamics by introducing a large holder with no immediate need to sell, potentially affecting long-term supply and market perception.

More broadly, the proposal reflects a shift in how policymakers view crypto infrastructure. Cryptocurrency mining is increasingly being discussed not just as a private-sector activity, but as part of national infrastructure tied to energy systems, manufacturing, and financial resilience.

Part of Broader Crypto Policy Discussions

The bill also comes amid broader discussions in Congress about crypto regulation, including market structure reforms and stablecoin legislation. Progress on comprehensive regulation has been slow, with lawmakers and industry participants continuing to debate the best regulatory framework.

Compared to broader regulatory proposals, the “Mined in America Act” focuses on the physical and industrial side of the crypto ecosystem, particularly mining infrastructure and supply chains.

Challenges Ahead

Despite support for the bill, challenges remain. Building a domestic mining hardware supply chain would require significant investment and time, and U.S. manufacturers would need to compete with established overseas producers that benefit from scale and lower production costs.

For mining companies, shifting toward domestically produced equipment could increase capital expenditures and reduce margins in the short term. However, supporters argue that the long-term goal is to build a more secure and domestically controlled crypto infrastructure ecosystem.

If passed, the legislation could mark a significant step toward integrating cryptocurrency mining and bitcoin reserves into broader U.S. economic and infrastructure policy.