New Hampshire Moves to Become First US State to Hold Bitcoin Reserve

The New Hampshire House of Representatives is set to vote on a pioneering bill that could make the state the first in the U.S. to establish a strategic reserve of Bitcoin. The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee passed House Bill 302 with a resounding 16-1 vote on March 5, 2025, paving the way for a full floor vote in the House.

If ultimately passed, the state treasurer would be authorized to invest up to 5% of the state's reserve funds into Bitcoin, with the goal of diversifying the state's investment portfolio and potentially generating higher returns. The bill, sponsored by Representative Stephen Schmidt, has gained significant traction among lawmakers, with many seeing it as a forward-thinking approach to managing the state's financial assets.

The passage of the bill through the committee marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate surrounding the role of cryptocurrencies in the broader financial landscape. As the U.S. government continues to grapple with the implications of digital currencies, states like New Hampshire are taking the initiative to explore the potential benefits of integrating cryptocurrencies into their investment strategies.

While the full House vote remains uncertain, the overwhelming support for the bill in the committee suggests that New Hampshire could be on the cusp of becoming a pioneer in the realm of cryptocurrency adoption. As the debate surrounding digital currencies continues to evolve, the outcome of the House vote will be closely watched by both advocates and critics of cryptocurrencies alike.