As One State Gets Closer on a Crypto Reserve, Others Jump Into the Fray

Key Points

  • Utah's bill to invest public money into crypto assets passed the House and is headed to the Senate.
  • Maryland introduced a bill for a bitcoin strategic reserve funded by gambling violation revenue.
  • Kentucky proposed legislation to invest state retirement funds in digital asset ETFs and restrict CBDCs.

Summary

Utah has become the first state to pass a bill through its legislative chamber allowing the investment of public funds into cryptocurrency, specifically targeting stablecoins or cryptocurrencies with a market cap over $500 billion, like bitcoin. This bill, which passed by a narrow margin, is now moving to the state senate. Meanwhile, Maryland and Kentucky have also introduced their own crypto-related legislation. Maryland's bill, proposed by Delegate Caylin Young, aims to establish a bitcoin strategic reserve similar to federal proposals, funded through gambling violation revenues. Kentucky's bills focus on allowing state retirement funds to invest in digital asset ETFs while also setting restrictions on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). These state-level initiatives reflect a broader trend, with fifteen other states currently considering similar legislation, spurred by former President Trump's interest in a national crypto stockpile. However, most state bills avoid using new taxpayer money for these investments.

yahoo
February 8, 2025
Crypto
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