Florida Moves to Legalize Bitcoin Investments in State Funds
Florida lawmakers have launched the 2026 legislative session with a proposal to combine Bitcoin into the state’s official funding technique.
The measure, filed on October 15, might make Florida one of many first US states to handle digital property as a part of its public reserves.
Lawmakers Push for Crypto Reserve Strategy
The initiative, filed as House Bill 183 by Representative Webster Barnaby, authorizes the state’s Chief Financial Officer to allocate up to 10% of particular funds—together with the General Revenue Fund and the Budget Stabilization Fund—into Bitcoin and different digital-asset merchandise.
The invoice defines digital property broadly, encompassing Bitcoin, tokenized securities, and NFTs. It additionally extends related authority to the State Board of Administration, permitting the Florida Retirement System to make investments up to 10% of its System Trust Fund in digital property.
The measure requires strict custody guidelines, allowing holdings solely via the CFO, a licensed custodian, or an SEC-registered ETF. Supporters say this framework ensures compliance with federal requirements and institutional-grade safety.
“States are searching for to modernize their steadiness sheets,” stated Julian Fahrer, founding father of monitoring platform Bitcoin Laws.
“More than 50 digital-asset reserve payments have been launched throughout the US this yr, and Florida is clearly transferring early,” he added.
HB 183 additionally permits residents to pay sure taxes and costs in digital property. These funds can be mechanically transformed to US {dollars} and deposited into state accounts. The invoice’s efficient date is ready for July 1, 2026.
The proposal cites a March 2025 White House government order establishing a federal “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” which makes use of seized digital property as a part of nationwide holdings. Lawmakers view this as validation for states to discover Bitcoin as a retailer of worth and inflation hedge.
Policy Signal for Wider Adoption
Florida’s transfer comes as Arizona, New Hampshire, and Texas have already enacted related frameworks, whereas others put together for brand spanking new classes in early 2026. Analysts say the momentum might speed up competitors amongst states searching for to appeal to digital-finance funding.
If permitted, HB 183 might mark a shift in public-fund administration and encourage additional coverage innovation. State-level integration of Bitcoin might also create a mannequin for municipal treasuries and pension funds nationwide.
Florida has already positioned itself as a crypto-forward state via a sequence of pioneering insurance policies. In 2023, the state established the Office of Fintech Policy and launched a Financial Technology Sandbox program in 2025 to take a look at modern digital finance options. These strikes have attracted crypto startups and buyers, boosting Florida’s standing as a regional fintech hub.
Analysts word that combining these initiatives with HB 183 might amplify Florida’s coverage continuity and market enchantment. A transparent authorized framework and pro-innovation stance could speed up capital inflows and enterprise formation, positioning Florida as one of the aggressive crypto jurisdictions in the United States.
HB 183 now awaits committee hearings in the Florida House earlier than advancing to the Senate for debate.
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