Which U.S. States Have Approved Bitcoin Reserve Laws?

2025-07-21
Which U.S. States Have Approved Bitcoin Reserve Laws?

As Bitcoin gains mainstream acceptance and former President Donald Trump backs the idea of a national crypto reserve, U.S. states are actively crafting their own Bitcoin reserve laws. While not uniform in scope or structure, these laws reflect growing interest in Bitcoin as a strategic asset to hedge against inflation, increase state-level financial resilience, or retain digital assets seized in legal proceedings.

In 2025, legislative momentum around Bitcoin reserves has accelerated, with three states officially approving Bitcoin reserve frameworks, five rejecting similar efforts, and 17 states still considering such proposals.

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What Are Bitcoin Reserve Laws?

Bitcoin reserve laws allow state governments to hold Bitcoin and, in some cases, other digital assets as part of their financial portfolios. These laws vary from direct purchase mandates to provisions for retaining seized cryptocurrencies from law enforcement actions. Most legislation includes strict eligibility criteria, which usually limit the assets to those with market capitalizations above $500 billion—effectively restricting reserves to Bitcoin alone.

READ ALSO: Bitcoin Steady Near All-Time Highs as Ether Rallies

States That Approved Bitcoin Reserve Laws

1. New Hampshire

In May 2025, New Hampshire became the first U.S. state to legally authorize Bitcoin reserves with the passage of HB 302. Signed into law by Governor Kelly Ayotte, the bill permits the state treasurer to allocate up to 5% of public funds into precious metals and qualified digital assets. The law requires digital assets to have maintained a $500 billion market cap over the past year—making Bitcoin the only viable candidate.

Ayotte called it a landmark move, stating, “New Hampshire is once again first in the nation!” The legislation allows Bitcoin to be held directly, through a custodian, or via regulated vehicles.

2. Texas

Texas followed suit in June 2025, with Senate Bill 21 and House Bill 4488 creating the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, the reserve is managed by the state comptroller and is intended to hedge against inflation and economic volatility.

The law allows Bitcoin to be acquired through purchases, forks, airdrops, or donations, but restricts inclusion to digital assets with a market cap above $500 billion—again, limiting the reserve to Bitcoin.

3. Arizona (Partial Measure)

While Arizona has not passed a full reserve law, HB 2749, signed in May 2025, updated its unclaimed property laws to allow the state to retain unclaimed or forfeited crypto in its original form. Though not a traditional reserve law, it permits the custody of seized Bitcoin, creating a de facto reserve model.

Attempts to pass broader Bitcoin reserve legislation, such as SB 1025 and HB 2324, were vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs, who cited risks to public pension funds and concerns over enforcement incentives.

READ ALSO: What is a Strategic Reserve Plan and Its Impact on Cryptocurrency?

States That Rejected Bitcoin Reserve Laws

Efforts to introduce Bitcoin reserves have failed in several states due to political opposition, market volatility concerns, or skepticism around digital asset investing. These states include:

  • Montana (HB 429)

  • North Dakota

  • Pennsylvania

  • Wyoming

  • South Dakota

  • Utah (Bitcoin provisions were stripped from a broader blockchain bill)

     

Lawmakers expressed concern over the high volatility of Bitcoin, possible legal liabilities, and uncertainty around long-term viability.

States Still Considering Bitcoin Reserve Legislation

Legislation is still pending in 17 U.S. states, including:

  • Alabama

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Idaho

  • Illinois

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Maine

  • Maryland

  • Michigan

  • Missouri

  • New Mexico

  • North Carolina

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • Rhode Island

  • West Virginia

While proposals differ, most share the goal of authorizing the custody or strategic purchase of Bitcoin. Approval in these states could significantly shift the national stance on digital asset reserves.

READ ALSO: Texas Bitcoin Reserve Bill: A Bold Move to Back State Reserves with BTC

Why Bitcoin Is the Primary Reserve Choice

Despite the mention of digital assets in most bills, strict market capitalization rules often eliminate all tokens except Bitcoin. As of 2025, Bitcoin remains the only crypto asset consistently valued over $500 billion, positioning it as the default choice for states considering crypto reserves.

Conclusion

The rise of Bitcoin reserve laws in the U.S. marks a pivotal shift in how state governments perceive digital assets—not just as speculative investments, but as strategic financial tools. With New Hampshire, Texas, and Arizona leading the way, and more than a dozen states still deliberating, the next few years could see a dramatic increase in state-level Bitcoin adoption. However, risks remain, and opposition is still strong in many corners of the country.

As crypto becomes increasingly embedded in financial and political conversations, these early moves may set the tone for broader federal action—or further state-by-state experimentation.

READ ALSO: What is the US Strategic Crypto Reserve?

FAQ

What is a Bitcoin reserve law?

It's legislation that allows a state to hold Bitcoin as part of its financial reserves, either through direct purchases or custody of seized assets.

Which U.S. states currently have Bitcoin reserves?

New Hampshire, Texas, and Arizona (through seized asset custody) have active Bitcoin reserve frameworks.

Why do most laws only allow Bitcoin, not other cryptocurrencies?

Strict market cap requirements often limit eligibility to Bitcoin alone due to its dominance and perceived stability.

What are the risks of holding Bitcoin as a state reserve?

Key risks include price volatility, legal concerns, and uncertainty around long-term adoption or regulatory changes.

How does Bitrue factor into state-level crypto reserves?

While most laws don't name specific exchanges, any future integrations or custody solutions would likely require cooperation with regulated platforms like Bitrue.

Disclaimer: The content of this article does not constitute financial or investment advice.

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