Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed the “Bitcoin Rights” bill into law on March 24, 2025, making it official that people in the state can use, store, and mine Bitcoin without restrictions.
The bill, known as House Bill 701, was introduced by Representative Adam Bowling on February 19 and quickly moved through the state legislature. It passed the House with a unanimous 91-0 vote on February 28 and then got full approval in the Senate with a 37-0 vote on March 13.
The law protects crypto users from discrimination and prevents local governments from making unfair rules against Bitcoin mining. It also makes sure mining and staking don’t require special licenses or get classified as financial securities.
The Satoshi Action Fund, a crypto advocacy group, praised the law, saying it guarantees the “right to self-custody, run a node, and use digital assets” without fear of discrimination.
This means that people in Kentucky can hold their own crypto without needing a third party, and businesses can run blockchain systems without extra restrictions. The bill also stops local governments from passing zoning laws that could push Bitcoin miners out of certain areas. The idea is to create a friendly environment for crypto users and businesses in the state.
In addition, lawmakers are also looking at another proposal that would allow the state to invest in Bitcoin as part of its financial reserves. If approved, the State Investment Commission could put up to 10% of excess state funds into Bitcoin and other digital assets.
This comes at a time when other states, like Oklahoma, Arizona, and Missouri, are also considering similar Bitcoin reserve plans. Oklahoma’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act just passed its House of Representatives with a 77-15 vote and is now waiting for approval in the Senate. Meanwhile, Arizona has moved ahead with two Bitcoin reserve bills that recently passed a key committee and are headed for a full vote.
According to Bitcoin Laws, Oklahoma has now tied with Texas in the “State Bitcoin reserve race,” while Arizona is currently leading.
This shows that more states are starting to see Bitcoin as a major asset. Kentucky’s new law puts the state on the map as one of the most crypto-friendly places in the U.S.
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