Overcoming Bitcoin (BTC) Reserve Bill Challenges: Insights from Johnny Garcia, Managing Director of Institutional Growth and Capital Markets at VeChain Foundation

Johnny Garcia, Managing Director of Institutional Growth and Capital Markets at VeChain Foundation, shared valuable insights into the ongoing challenge of Bitcoin (BTC) reserve bills

Managing Director of Institutional Growth and Capital Markets at VeChain Foundation, Johnny Garcia, recently shared his insights on the ongoing effort to pass Bitcoin (BTC) reserve bills in the U.S., noting that five states have now rejected these bills.

According to a recent report by Blockware, 18 states are still considering integrating Bitcoin into their financial reserves. However, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania have all voted against these bills. A major concern raised by lawmakers is skepticism about Bitcoin’s value and economic sense as a reserve asset.

Many legislators also expressed that taxpayer funds should not be used to buy Bitcoin, a commodity that citizens can already acquire on their own. However, Garcia believes that success will come down to demonstrating Bitcoin’s real-world value beyond speculative investment. He highlighted blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi) as technologies capable of addressing sustainability, supply chain management, and transparency—use cases that go beyond simple financial speculation.

"We are seeing a lot of skepticism about Bitcoin reserves from state legislators. A significant portion of the population is still not sold on the long-term value of cryptocurrency as a financial asset. To gain public support for Bitcoin reserves, we need to educate citizens on the benefits they will reap from increased transparency, faster settlement times, and reduced counterparty risks. This will, in turn, help create an environment more favorable for legislation at both the state and federal levels," Garcia stated.

At the national level, there are ongoing efforts to integrate Bitcoin into federal finances. For instance, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) recently announced the reintroduction of the BITCOIN Act.

This proposal, which aims to create a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, is part of a broader strategy to modernize the investment framework of the U.S. government and enhance its operational capabilities in today’s fast-paced digital economy.

The BITCOIN Act, which builds on an executive order signed by former President Trump in 2019, would mandate the creation of a reserve backed by up to 1 million BTC over a five-year period. These coins would be held for at least 20 years, and the Treasury Department would be tasked with buying the coins at market prices.

In a statement announcing the reintroduction of the bill, Lummis highlighted its significance in an increasingly competitive global landscape. She pointed out that while other nations are investing in new technologies and assets, the U.S. has remained largely stagnant in its investment portfolio.

“As the world changes, the U.S. must adapt. We are the world’s leading economy, yet our investment strategy has remained largely the same for decades. But today, other nations are rapidly investing in new technologies and assets to secure their financial futures. We can’t afford to stand still. We need to be bold and innovative in how we approach our finances to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” Lummis said.

According to a recent report, the new bill would create a new title 12 of the U.S. Code, specifically allocating a portion of federal assets to Bitcoin. It would also authorize the Treasury to buy up to 200,000 BTC annually over a period of five years, with the goal of accumulating at least 1 million BTC within five years.

Moreover, the bill would mandate that these coins be held in Treasury Direct accounts, similar to how Treasury securities are managed. It would also prohibit any disposal of these coins for at least 20 years from the date of their acquisition.

Lummis’ comments highlight the growing momentum at the national level to integrate Bitcoin into the U.S. financial system. As more use cases for blockchain and Bitcoin are demonstrated, particularly in sectors beyond finance, the narrative surrounding Bitcoin may shift, potentially leading to more widespread adoption.