The Florida Bitcoin Reserve Bill has failed, where is the path for cryptocurrency legislation in various states in the United States?

CN
4 hours ago

On May 6, 2025, according to Cointelegraph, two highly anticipated cryptocurrency bills in Florida—HB 487 and SB 550—were "indefinitely postponed and withdrawn" on May 3. These bills were originally intended to authorize the state Chief Financial Officer and the State Administration Council to invest up to 10% of public funds, including the General Revenue Fund and the Budget Stabilization Fund, in Bitcoin. However, when the Florida legislative session closed on May 2, these bills failed to pass the final review, marking a significant setback for Florida's exploration of strategic reserves in cryptocurrency. This event also reflects the complex dilemmas and divisions faced by U.S. states in promoting cryptocurrency-related legislation.

The Brief Journey and Termination of Florida's Bills

Since their introduction in February 2025, HB 487 and SB 550 have garnered widespread attention. HB 487 was proposed by House member Webster Barnaby, while SB 550 was initiated by Senator Joe Gruters. Both aimed to allow Florida to allocate a portion of public funds to Bitcoin through legislation, in order to hedge against inflation and explore the potential of digital assets in public finance. The bills stipulated that the investment cap in Bitcoin would be 10% of state funds, to be executed by the state Chief Financial Officer. On April 10, HB 487 was unanimously passed by the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, demonstrating initial legislative momentum.

However, the advancement of the bills encountered resistance in subsequent stages. While supporters argued that Bitcoin, as a decentralized asset, could provide diversified investment options for state finances, opponents expressed concerns over its price volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and potential legal risks. Ultimately, the bills stalled during the review phase by the Government Operations Subcommittee and failed to enter broader legislative procedures. On May 3, the Florida legislature officially announced the withdrawal of these two bills, marking a temporary halt to the state's Bitcoin strategic reserve plan.

The Surge and Obstacles of Cryptocurrency Legislation in U.S. States

Florida's setback is not an isolated case but rather a microcosm of the exploration of cryptocurrency legislation across U.S. states. Since the end of 2024, influenced by federal executive orders promoting cryptocurrency asset reserves, multiple states in the U.S. have initiated a wave of Bitcoin strategic reserve legislation. According to SoSoValue, as of February 2025, 20 states have launched related legislative processes, with 15 states' bills entering committee review stages, forming a regional legislative wave.

Arizona is currently one of the fastest-moving states. On April 29, 2025, its two bills (SB 1373 and SB 1025) passed the final vote in the House, proposing the establishment of a digital asset strategic reserve fund and allowing the state treasury and pension systems to invest up to 10% of their funds in Bitcoin. These bills are awaiting the signature of Governor Katie Hobbs, and if approved, Arizona will become the first state in the U.S. to officially invest in Bitcoin.

Utah is also showing positive progress. The HB0230 bill allows four public funds in the state to invest 5% of their total assets in Bitcoin, with a potential purchasing power exceeding $70 million. The bill has passed the House and is currently under review in the Senate.

New Hampshire also passed a Bitcoin reserve bill in April, allowing the state government to allocate part of its financial reserves as Bitcoin assets, demonstrating bold attempts by smaller states in cryptocurrency policy.

However, successful cases remain few. Oklahoma's HB1203 bill passed the House with a vote of 77:15 but was defeated in the Senate Tax and Revenue Committee by a vote of 6:5 on April 15, with no signs of a restart in the short term. Similar bills in Wyoming and South Dakota also failed to pass due to complex legislative processes or strong opposition.

Core Controversies and Future Outlook of Legislation

The divergence in cryptocurrency legislation among U.S. states reflects multiple realities. First, Bitcoin's high volatility is a major obstacle. Opponents argue that public funds should prioritize investments in low-risk assets to ensure fiscal stability. Second, the lack of coordination between federal and state-level regulations exacerbates legislative difficulties. Although Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 supporting federal Bitcoin reserves, the strict regulatory stance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the cryptocurrency market leaves state governments cautious in their legislative efforts.

Additionally, differences in interstate economic structures also impact the legislative process. States with better financial conditions (like Utah) are more willing to experiment with high-risk investments, while states with tight budgets are more cautious about cryptocurrencies. The division in public perception is also significant: supporters view Bitcoin as "digital gold," while opponents see it as a speculative tool.

Nevertheless, the regional wave of cryptocurrency legislation continues. The progress in Arizona, Utah, and New Hampshire indicates that some state governments are attempting to seize the initiative in the digital asset field through legislation. SoSoValue predicts that if more states successfully pass bills, it could trigger a chain reaction, prompting other states to accelerate their legislative processes.

Conclusion: A Cautious Exploration of the U.S. Cryptocurrency Path

The failure of Florida's HB 487 and SB 550 serves as a wake-up call for cryptocurrency legislation across U.S. states: innovation comes with risks, and legislation must find a balance between protecting public interests and embracing technological advancement. Currently, cryptocurrency legislation in U.S. states presents a scenario of "high enthusiasm, uneven progress." The breakthroughs in Arizona and Utah provide references for other states, but the setbacks in Florida, Oklahoma, and elsewhere remind us that the path for cryptocurrency to integrate into public finance remains fraught with challenges.

This article represents the author's personal views and does not reflect the position or views of this platform. This article is for informational sharing only and does not constitute any investment advice to anyone.

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