Arizona Launches Its Bitcoin Reserve Fund with House Bill 2749

Arizona has officially launched its first Bitcoin and Digital Asset Reserve Fund by signing House Bill 2749 into law. The bill does not authorize new investments. Instead, it focuses on handling unclaimed digital assets.

This comes shortly after New Hampshire’s passage of HB 302, making it the first state to create a Bitcoin (BTC) reserve.

Arizona Governor Signs HB 2749 After Vetoing Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act

Governor Katie Hobbs signed HB 2749 on May 7 after vetoing Senate Bill 1025, the Arizona Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act. She cited concerns over the volatility of digital assets and their unsuitability for state-backed retirement system investments. However, HB 2749 addresses these investment concerns. 

“Days after vetoing SB 1025, which would have let Arizona invest public funds and seized crypto into Bitcoin, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signs HB 2749, a scaled-down version that funds a BTC reserve using unclaimed crypto, airdrops, and staking rewards,” VanEck’s Head of digital assets research, Matthew Sigel, noted.

HB 2749 permits the state to claim ownership of abandoned digital assets if the owner does not respond to communications within three years. Once the state assumes control of these assets, its custodians may stake the crypto to earn rewards or receive airdrops. 

Any rewards earned through staking or airdrops will be transferred to a newly created Bitcoin and Digital Asset Reserve Fund, allowing the state to manage these unclaimed assets and their earnings.

“This law ensures Arizona doesn’t leave value sitting on the table and puts us in a position to lead the country in how we secure, manage, and ultimately benefit from abandoned digital currency. It’s exactly the kind of policy we should be leading on—modern, precise, and built with an understanding of where technology and finance are heading,” Bill’s sponsor, Representative Jeff Weninger, said.

Arizona’s legislative efforts extend beyond HB 2749. Two additional bills, SB 1373 and HB 2324, are under consideration. SB 1373 proposes a Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund in Arizona, managed by the state treasurer. 

The fund includes appropriated funds and seized digital assets, which a qualified custodian will securely store. The bill allows the state to invest up to 10% annually and loan digital assets for returns, with no added financial risks.

Meanwhile, HB 2324, which aimed to create a reserve for forfeited digital assets, failed its final reading on May 7. Nonetheless, it is subject to a motion for reconsideration.

Other states are also advancing cryptocurrency legislation. Texas’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill (SB 21) recently passed the Senate and is headed to a floor vote, signaling growing momentum for state-level crypto initiatives. 

“Texas Bitcoin Reserve should be one vote away. TX legislature adjourns on 6/2, so we should know within ~3 weeks at the latest,” Julian Fahrer, founder of Bitcoin Laws, highlighted.

In Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek signed SB167 into law.

“The bill updates the state’s Uniform Commercial Code to provide much needed clarity on how digital assets are treated e.g. legally recognized as collateral. Big milestone for adoption,” Bitcoin Laws posted.

Despite these states’ progress in embracing digital assets, Florida’s Bitcoin Reserve proposals, HB 487 and SB 550, have failed to move forward. The lack of progress highlights the ongoing debates and challenges surrounding regulating and adopting digital assets at the state level. 

While some states are making strides, others face hurdles in integrating cryptocurrency into their financial systems.