Progress continues on plans to establish a United States Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) strategic reserve despite ongoing legal hurdles.
Patrick Witt, director of the White House Crypto Council, said obscure statutes are delaying implementation.
Multiple federal agencies are reviewing whether existing law permits holding Bitcoin at state level.
Witt confirmed discussions include the Department of Justice and the Office of Legal Counsel.
It seems straightforward, but then you get into some obscure legal provisions.
Patrick Witt said.
Why this agency cannot do it, but another agency could, remains under review.
He added.
Witt said the Bitcoin reserve remains firmly listed as an active policy priority.
The United States moved closer to formal adoption in March 2025 under executive action.
Donald Trump signed an order creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Digital Asset Stockpile.
The order covered Bitcoin alongside selected alternative digital assets.
The directive confirmed the government would not sell existing Bitcoin holdings.
Bitcoin additions would only come from assets seized through forfeiture proceedings.
The order did not authorise open market purchases of Bitcoin by the federal government.
That limitation triggered sharp criticism across the Bitcoin community.
Many supporters viewed the reserve announcement as falling short of expectations.
Critics argued the strategy lacked genuine long-term accumulation intent.
There is no movement toward a Bitcoin reserve.
Bitcoin commentator Justin Bechler said.
There are only empty speeches and opportunistic pandering from Washington.
Bechler added.
Bitcoin advocates also criticised the absence of fixed-supply acquisition commitments.
Further backlash followed a July 2025 digital asset policy report.
The report excluded any expansion details on the Bitcoin reserve plan.
Market sentiment cooled as expectations for direct government buying faded.
Momentum briefly returned after comments from Scott Bessent in August 2025.
Bessent suggested Bitcoin could be acquired using budget-neutral strategies.
Proposed methods included revaluing existing reserve assets or metals holdings.
Converting gains into Bitcoin would avoid increasing the annual budget deficit.
The proposal renewed speculation about future open-market Bitcoin purchases.
Legal interpretations remain the primary obstacle to immediate execution.
Federal lawyers continue to assess which agencies hold lawful authority.
The outcome may shape how nation states adopt Bitcoin as a reserve asset.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $95,066.20.