Florida lawmakers have launched the 2026 legislative session with a proposal to combine Bitcoin into the state’s official funding technique.
The measure, filed on October 15, might make Florida one of many first US states to handle digital belongings as a part of its public reserves.
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Lawmakers Push for Crypto Reserve Technique
The initiative, filed as Home Invoice 183 by Consultant Webster Barnaby, authorizes the state’s Chief Monetary Officer to allocate as much as 10% of particular funds—together with the Basic Income Fund and the Funds Stabilization Fund—into Bitcoin and different digital-asset merchandise.
The invoice defines digital belongings broadly, encompassing Bitcoin, tokenized securities, and NFTs. It additionally extends comparable authority to the State Board of Administration, permitting the Florida Retirement System to take a position as much as 10% of its System Belief Fund in digital belongings.
The measure requires strict custody guidelines, allowing holdings solely by the CFO, a licensed custodian, or an SEC-registered ETF. Supporters say this framework ensures compliance with federal requirements and institutional-grade safety.
“States are looking for to modernize their steadiness sheets,” mentioned Julian Fahrer, founding father of monitoring platform Bitcoin Legal guidelines.
“Greater than 50 digital-asset reserve payments have been launched throughout the US this 12 months, and Florida is clearly transferring early,” he added.
HB 183 additionally permits residents to pay sure taxes and costs in digital belongings. These funds could be mechanically transformed to US {dollars} and deposited into state accounts. The invoice’s efficient date is about for July 1, 2026.
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The proposal cites a March 2025 White Home government order establishing a federal “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” which makes use of seized digital belongings as a part of nationwide holdings. Lawmakers view this as validation for states to discover Bitcoin as a retailer of worth and inflation hedge.
Coverage Sign for Wider Adoption
Florida’s transfer comes as Arizona, New Hampshire, and Texas have already enacted comparable frameworks, whereas others put together for brand new periods in early 2026. Analysts say the momentum might speed up competitors amongst states looking for to draw digital-finance funding.
If accepted, HB 183 might mark a shift in public-fund administration and encourage additional coverage innovation. State-level integration of Bitcoin may create a mannequin for municipal treasuries and pension funds nationwide.
Florida has already positioned itself as a crypto-forward state by a sequence of pioneering insurance policies. In 2023, the state established the Workplace of Fintech Coverage and launched a Monetary Expertise Sandbox program in 2025 to check modern digital finance options. These strikes have attracted crypto startups and buyers, boosting Florida’s standing as a regional fintech hub.
Analysts notice that combining these initiatives with HB 183 might amplify Florida’s coverage continuity and market enchantment. A transparent authorized framework and pro-innovation stance might speed up capital inflows and enterprise formation, positioning Florida as one of the aggressive crypto jurisdictions in the US.
HB 183 now awaits committee hearings within the Florida Home earlier than advancing to the Senate for debate.