The Bitcoin Coverage Institute (BPI) launched a 21-page coverage framework on Could 21 to place the US as a worldwide chief within the Bitcoin (BTC) ecosystem.
BPI head of coverage Zack Shapiro, the writer of the framework, known as it his “Bitcoin Coverage Manifesto.” The doc outlines a complete legislative and regulatory strategy that touches on Bitcoin as a monetary asset, software program protocol, and mining infrastructure.
The framework proposes a three-pronged strategy: integrating Bitcoin into the US financial and geopolitical technique, tailoring authorized readability for know-how builders and companies, and redefining Bitcoin mining inside vitality and infrastructure coverage.
Shapiro acknowledged that the paper is a concise but full information for policymakers searching for to grasp the first authorized, regulatory, and geopolitical dimensions of Bitcoin inside half an hour of studying.
Strategic reserve and capital markets integration
One of many framework’s central suggestions is the institution of a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), modeled on historic stockpiling of gold or oil.
BPI argued that Bitcoin’s shortage, neutrality, and portability make it a robust hedge towards inflation and geopolitical instability, traits required of reserve belongings.
The framework additionally highlighted how the US might situation “BitBonds,” or Bitcoin-enhanced Treasury bonds, that dedicate a portion of proceeds to bitcoin purchases. BPI modeling suggests this mechanism might decrease federal curiosity prices whereas strengthening dollar-based belongings.
The report endorsed coverage updates to foster US-based Bitcoin capital markets to enrich the reserve proposal. These embody finalizing fair-value accounting requirements for bitcoin holdings, approving in-kind spot Bitcoin ETFs, and exempting low-value transactions from capital features tax.
Authorized distinction for non-custodial instruments
BPI emphasizes a transparent distinction between custodial and non-custodial know-how within the authorized and innovation area.
The report requires the passage of safe-harbor laws, such because the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, to stop builders of non-custodial software program from being regulated as cash transmitters.
This contains Lightning routing nodes, Chaumian mints, and DeFi protocols. Moreover, the paperwork urged the Division of Justice to drop present prosecutions towards builders of privacy-focused Bitcoin instruments.
The report additionally proposed a unified federal cash transmission license to switch state-by-state registration necessities and advocates for a sandbox regime permitting rising custodial companies to function underneath scaled compliance frameworks.
Power coverage and mining incentives
On the vitality entrance, BPI recommends treating Bitcoin mining as a strategic software for grid stability and clear vitality integration.
The report inspired policymakers to acknowledge Bitcoin mining as a demand-response asset and incentivize methane mitigation by means of flared gasoline on-site mining.
It additionally beneficial a technology-neutral stance in federal vitality coverage and proposes co-locating mining operations with AI and information middle infrastructure to optimize load distribution.
Bitcoin mining is portrayed as a complementary load that may stabilize vitality grids, take in surplus renewable technology, and justify upgrades to transmission capability.
BPI positioned mining to drive innovation and funding in US vitality markets with out preferential therapy or focused restrictions.