New Hampshire has made history as the first U.S. state to officially authorize the creation of a strategic cryptocurrency reserve. Governor Kelly Ayotte signed House Bill 302 into law, empowering the state treasury to allocate up to 5% of public funds into digital assets with a market capitalization exceeding $500 billion-currently, only Bitcoin qualifies under this criterion.
The legislation establishes a framework for the state to invest in Bitcoin either directly or through exchange-traded products, with assets securely held in state-controlled multisignature wallets managed by qualified U.S. custodians. This move positions New Hampshire ahead of other states and even the federal government in integrating digital assets into public finance.
The law will take effect 60 days after signing, enabling the state to diversify its reserves by including Bitcoin alongside precious metals. Advocates see this as a groundbreaking step toward future-proofing state finances and embracing the most secure monetary network available.
New Hampshire’s success contrasts with setbacks in other states like Arizona and Florida, where similar bills have stalled or been vetoed. The passage of HB 302 signals growing acceptance of cryptocurrency at the state government level and may inspire other states to follow suit.
Governor Ayotte celebrated the milestone on social media, declaring New Hampshire “once again first in the nation” to adopt such innovative financial legislation.
