Key Takeaways
- New Hampshire passed HB 302, the first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill.
- The law allows up to 10% of public funds to be invested in Bitcoin.
- Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and others are considering similar bills.
New Hampshire has become the first U.S. state to officially establish a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve”, following Governor Kelly Ayotte’s signing of House Bill 302 into law.
Details of House Bill 302
The bill enables the state treasurer to allocate public funds into Bitcoin and precious metals, provided the digital assets meet a market capitalization threshold of $500 billion—a benchmark currently exclusive to Bitcoin.
The bill permits up to 10% of the state’s general and authorized funds to be invested either directly in Bitcoin, through exchange-traded products, or via self-custody and qualified custodians.
Inspiration & impact of HB 302
HB 302 is based on the “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” model drafted by the nonprofit Satoshi Action Fund.
Dennis Porter, CEO and Co-Founder of the organization, said:
New Hampshire didn’t just pass a bill; it sparked a movement. HB 302 proves you can protect taxpayer money, diversify reserves, and future-proof state treasuries.
Legislative Journey & broader implications
The bill passed the New Hampshire House by a 192-179 vote, followed by a 4-1 vote in the Senate on April 23.
Representative Keith Ammon served as the bill’s primary sponsor.
New Hampshire’s move comes as states like Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, and Texas weigh similar bills.
In contrast, Florida’s Senate recently shelved two such proposals.
The legislative activity reflects growing interest among U.S. policymakers in formalizing state-level Bitcoin reserve strategies.
