Oklahoma Bitcoin reserve bill advances amid other states' rejection

Oklahoma House Bill 1203, known as the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act, has advanced to the House floor following a 12-2 vote by the Government Oversight Committee on February 25, 2025.

Introduced by Representative Cody Maynard, the bill would allow the Oklahoma State Treasurer to invest public funds in digital assets with a market capitalisation exceeding $500 billion, effectively limiting investments to Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) and select stablecoins.

"Bitcoin represents freedom from bureaucrats printing away our purchasing power," stated Maynard, describing Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and government monetary policies.

He added that Bitcoin, as a decentralised asset, "cannot be manipulated or created by government entities" and serves as a store of value for those who support financial freedom.

The bill proposes allocating a portion of state pension and savings plans to these digital assets as a safeguard against inflation.

If enacted, the law would take effect on November 1, 2025.

While Oklahoma moves forward, similar bills in Montana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wyoming have been rejected or put on hold due to concerns over volatility and taxpayer risk.

"It's still taxpayer money, and we need to protect it," warning that "these types of investments are way too risky," Montana Representative Steven Kelly stated.

Despite these setbacks, 25 bills related to strategic Bitcoin reserves are currently under discussion in 18 state legislatures.

Supporters see Bitcoin as a strategic financial asset, while critics argue it remains too unstable for public investments.

The Oklahoma bill will now be debated and potentially amended by the full House.

Its passage could mark a step toward institutional Bitcoin investments by state governments, potentially affecting Bitcoin’s demand and price trends. 

At the time of reporting, the Bitcoin (BTC) price was $84,468.01.