On May 6, 2025, Governor Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire made headlines by signing a groundbreaking bill that allows the state’s treasurer to invest in cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC). This legislation, passed unanimously through the state Senate and House of Representatives, signifies a step forward in the acceptance and integration of digital currencies within state financial practices.
Gov. Ayotte took to social media to announce that New Hampshire would now be permitted to “invest in cryptocurrency and precious metals.” This comes as part of House Bill 302, which was introduced earlier in January. The bill specifically authorizes the state treasury to invest funds in cryptocurrencies that boast a market capitalization exceeding $500 billion, effectively ruling out investments in smaller tokens and memecoins that do not meet this threshold.
This initiative positions New Hampshire as a leader among U.S. states in exploring strategic investments in Bitcoin. Recent discussions regarding establishing a Bitcoin reserve have gained traction across the nation, with similar efforts observed in Arizona. However, an analogous proposal in Arizona made headway in the House but faced a veto by Governor Katie Hobbs on May 2, underscoring the varied responses from state leaders towards cryptocurrency legislation.
The implications of New Hampshire’s new law could have broader ramifications, paving the way for other states to consider similar frameworks that validate and incorporate cryptocurrency into traditional state investment strategies. Observers will be keen to monitor how this development integrates with other legislative efforts nationwide and whether it prompts further endorsing of cryptocurrencies at both state and federal levels.
This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.