• Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed the “Bitcoin Rights” bill (HB701) into law on March 24, 2025.
  • The law protects self-custody, blockchain nodes, and crypto transactions from regulatory discrimination.

On March 24, 2025, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 701 , commonly known as the “Bitcoin Rights” bill, into law. This legislation ensures the protection of digital asset users and cryptocurrency miners within the state, prohibiting discriminatory regulations against them.

The law specifically secures key rights such as self-custody of digital assets, running blockchain nodes, and engaging in crypto transactions without fear of government interference. It also prevents local authorities from imposing restrictive zoning laws targeting cryptocurrency mining operations. Additionally, the bill clarifies that crypto mining and staking activities do not require money transmitter licenses and are not considered securities offerings​.

Kentucky Considers State-Backed Crypto Reserve

The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support, passing the Kentucky House with a 91-0 vote on February 28, followed by a unanimous 37-0 vote in the Senate on March 13. Its swift approval highlights Kentucky’s growing commitment to blockchain technology and digital finance​.

Kentucky is considering House Bill 376 (KY HB376), which proposes creating a crypto reserve for the state. If passed, it would allow the State Investment Commission to invest up to 10% of excess state funds in digital assets with a market cap over $750 billion, mainly Bitcoin. However, the bill is still under review and has not yet become law.

For it to pass, HB376 must be approved by both the House and Senate before being signed by the governor. The House has yet to vote on the proposal.

This move aligns with broader trends across the U.S., as other states like Oklahoma and Arizona are advancing legislation to protect Bitcoin users and even create state-managed Bitcoin reserves​.

Highlighted Crypto News Today:

BNB Price Analysis: Can It Hold the Uptrend to $700?