Arizona Senate committee approves strategic Bitcoin reserve bill

Key Takeaways

• Arizona's Senate Finance Committee approved a bill allowing public funds to invest in Bitcoin.
• The bill permits investment of up to 10% of public funds in virtual currencies like Bitcoin.

Arizona lawmakers have advanced a bill allowing public funds to invest in Bitcoin and other digital assets, with the state Senate Finance Committee approving the measure in a 5-2 vote on January 27.

Co-sponsored by Wendy Rogers and Jeff Weninger, the proposed legislation, known as SB1025 or “Arizona Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act,” allows the state to invest up to 10% of public funds, including those held by the state treasurer and retirement systems, in virtual currencies like Bitcoin.

The bill also includes provisions for storing digital asset holdings in a secure segregated account within a potential federal Strategic Bitcoin Reserve if the Secretary of the Treasury establishes a strategic Bitcoin reserve for government holdings.

The US Senate on Monday also confirmed Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary on a vote of 68 to 29, with bipartisan support. As a supporter of Trump’s economic policies, Bessent opposes a central bank digital currency and is seen as pro-Bitcoin.

Following its passage through the Finance Committee, Arizona’s Bitcoin reserve bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee, which will set parameters for floor debate and amendments. If approved by the full Senate, the measure will proceed to the House of Representatives.

According to Dennis Porter, CEO and co-founder of the Satoshi Action Fund, Arizona is the first state to have a bill specifically focused on creating a Bitcoin reserve pass through a legislative committee.

If this bill becomes law, Arizona would be the first state to officially invest public funds in Bitcoin.

As of Jan. 27, eleven states have introduced their respective Bitcoin reserve bills, according to Porter. He noted in a separate post that at least 15 states, and potentially 16, are introducing Bitcoin reserve bills.