Congressman Issa Introduces Digital Asset Inventory and Audit Act to Find and Protect Digital Assets in Federal Custody

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) recently introduced the Digital Asset Inventory and Audit Act of 2026, legislation to ensure the federal government identifies, secures, and accounts for cryptocurrency and other digital assets that come into its custody.

As federal law enforcement agencies routinely seize computers, phones, and other electronic evidence during investigations, those devices can contain private keys, seed phrases, digital wallets, and other cryptographic information that provide access to digital assets that may be related to criminal activity. What’s missing is a uniform government-wide requirement to identify and account for those assets.

“The federal government cannot protect, recover, or account for assets it does not know it possesses,” said Congressman Issa. “When law enforcement seizes an electronic device, it may also be taking custody of the keys to digital assets that should also be seized. It’s time to recognize and remedy that reality.”

Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-5), an original co-sponsor of H.R. 10317, added “As criminals increasingly use digital assets to move and conceal illicit funds, our law enforcement agencies must keep pace. This bill ensures federal agencies have the tools, standards, and accountability necessary to properly identify and safeguard digital assets in government custody.”

Specifically, the legislation requires federal agencies to identify, secure, and account for digital assets discovered in electronic evidence. It also directs DOJ and NIST to establish government-wide standards for handling those assets and requires regular audits and oversight. The legislation creates no new search or seizure authorities and preserves existing legal and privacy protections.

“The Digital Chamber applauds Reps. Lance Gooden and Darrell Issa for introducing the Digital Asset Inventory and Audit Act of 2026. As digital assets play a growing role in law enforcement investigations and federal asset management, agencies need modern, consistent standards for identifying, securing, and accounting for them. This legislation is an important step toward that goal, and we look forward to working with these Co-Sponsors and Congress to advance it.”

The full bill text can be found here. 

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