New Hampshire has enacted America’s first state-level Strategic Bitcoin Reserve legislation, establishing a framework to allocate a portion of state funds to Bitcoin (BTC) and choose digital property.
Governor Kelly Ayotte signed HB 302 into legislation on Might 6, authorizing the state treasurer to carry Bitcoin in a regulated reserve construction. The mannequin coverage, developed by the nonprofit group Satoshi Motion Fund, goals to formalize using Bitcoin as a monetary reserve asset for state governments.
The laws, launched by Rep. Keith Ammon (R-Hillsborough 40), was initially proposed in 2022 and handed with assist from Majority Chief Jason Osborne, the New Hampshire Blockchain Council, and different native advocates.
The legislation permits the treasurer to buy Bitcoin and different digital property with a market capitalization exceeding $500 billion, which at present consists of solely Bitcoin.
Holdings are capped at 5% of the state’s reserve portfolio, and US-regulated custody preparations should safe it.
Ayotte confirmed the legislation’s signing on social media, saying:
“New Hampshire is as soon as once more First within the Nation! Simply signed a brand new legislation permitting our state to put money into cryptocurrency and treasured metals.”
The New Hampshire Home Republicans echoed the governor’s remarks, posting that “the Reside Free or Die state is main the way in which in forging the way forward for commerce and digital property.”
A state-controlled multi-signature scheme, a professional custodian, or a US-based exchange-traded product will maintain the property, guaranteeing compliance and transparency. The statute takes impact 60 days from enactment.
Dennis Porter, CEO of Satoshi Motion Fund, additionally issued a press release, describing HB 302 as a blueprint for nationwide adoption.
Rising motion
With this approval, New Hampshire turns into the primary US state to enact laws establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
In keeping with Bitcoin Legal guidelines knowledge, 37 of fifty states have launched comparable legislative proposals, however most proposals have faltered up to now. The remaining 13 states have but to file laws relating to state-level Bitcoin reserves.
Satoshi Motion Fund drafted greater than 20 comparable payments nationwide and has advocated for Bitcoin-based reserves to diversify treasury methods.
The group reported having supported the passage of six pro-Bitcoin state legal guidelines thus far and claims greater than 220,000 constituent letters have been generated to assist such initiatives nationwide.
HB 302 positions New Hampshire because the take a look at case for broader state-level Bitcoin adoption.
SBR race
In keeping with the “State Reserve Race” tracker from Bitcoin Legal guidelines, Arizona is the very best contender for a second Strategic Bitcoin Reserve invoice enacted as legislation.
On Might 1, the Senate majority really useful concurrence with the Home amendments to Arizona’s SB 1373. The Senate will now transmit the invoice for evaluate by the Home chamber, which may then go to the governor’s desk.
North Carolina and Texas are trailing proper behind, with their crypto reserves proposals at present being offered to the Senate committee for a second evaluate.
By establishing a authorized reserve coverage and setting operational parameters, New Hampshire has launched the primary enforceable framework for holding Bitcoin in public treasury accounts within the US.
