Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signs “Bitcoin Rights” bill into law

• Kentucky’s “Bitcoin Rights” bill has been signed into law.
• The “Bitcoin Rights” law protects crypto use and mining in the state of Kentucky.
• The law also bans discriminatory zoning and clarifies mining rules.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed the “Bitcoin Rights” bill into law on March 24, 2025, cementing the state’s position as a leader in digital asset protection.

Known officially as House Bill 701, this legislation safeguards the rights of Kentuckians to use, hold, and mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) without facing discriminatory regulations.

Notably, the bill’s unanimous passage through both the Kentucky House and Senate underscores a rare bipartisan consensus on the growing importance of blockchain technology in the modern economy.

“Bitcoin Rights” bill quickly passed the Kentucky House and Senate

The journey to this historic signing began on February 19, 2025, when Representative Adam Bowling introduced HB 701 to the Kentucky House.

Designed to protect the “right to self-custody, run a node, and use of digital assets,” as highlighted by the Satoshi Action Fund, the bill quickly gained traction.

By February 28, it sailed through the House with a resounding 91-0 vote, followed by an equally decisive 37-0 approval in the Senate on March 13.

Beshear’s signature just over a week later marked the culmination of a swift legislative process, reflecting Kentucky’s eagerness to embrace the crypto revolution.

What does Kentucky’s “Bitcoin Rights” law entail?

At its core, the “Bitcoin Rights” bill, now law, offers robust protections for crypto users and operators across the state. It explicitly bans local governments from enacting zoning changes that unfairly target cryptocurrency mining, ensuring that miners can operate without undue interference.

Additionally, the legislation clarifies that mining and staking activities do not require a money transmitter license and are not classified as securities offerings.

This clarity removes significant legal hurdles, fostering an environment where individuals and businesses can confidently engage with digital assets.

It also sets guidelines for running crypto nodes and ensures that digital assets can be used freely without fear of discrimination.

Notably, the Kentucky law mirrors a similar legislative effort in Oklahoma, where Governor Kevin Stitt signed a comprehensive crypto bill into law in May 2024.

Oklahoma’s legislation, effective November 1, 2024, also protects self-custody and mining while prohibiting discriminatory energy rates for crypto businesses. Kentucky’s move, however, adds a unique twist by explicitly addressing local zoning issues, a provision that could set a precedent for other states.

US states including Kentucky are working on Bitcoin reserve bills

The timing of Beshear’s signing is particularly notable, as it coincided with significant crypto-related developments elsewhere in the US.

On the same day, March 24, 2025, Oklahoma’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act passed its State House of Representatives with a 77-15 vote.

HB 1203 Bitcoin Strategic Reserve has passed the House in Oklahoma 77-15! 🥳🥂

Huge congratulations to Rep. Cody Maynard, next stop Senate! pic.twitter.com/IYrWCZFlcf

— Oklahoma Bitcoin Association (@oklahomabtc) March 24, 2025

This bill, now awaiting Senate approval, aims to establish a state-managed Bitcoin reserve, signalling a growing trend among states to integrate digital assets into their financial frameworks.

Kentucky itself has a similar bill under review, which could allow up to 10% of excess state reserves to be allocated to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC).

While the US Congress continues to debate bills on stablecoins and broader crypto regulations, states like Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Arizona are forging ahead. Arizona, for instance, is leading the “State Bitcoin reserve race,” with two strategic digital asset reserve bills advancing to its House floor on March 24, 2025.

Meanwhile, Missouri’s Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs is evaluating its own Bitcoin reserve proposal, hinting at a competitive push among states to become crypto-friendly hubs.

For Kentucky, the “Bitcoin Rights” bill is more than just a legal framework—it’s a statement of economic intent. By protecting home and industrial crypto mining and ensuring equitable access to energy rates, the state is positioning itself as a welcoming destination for blockchain innovation.