New Hampshire’s Bitcoin Reserve Bill Passes House Committee Vote: A Step Toward Digital Asset Investment

The New Hampshire House Committee has made a significant stride in the realm of digital assets by passing the Bitcoin Reserve Bill with a decisive 16-1 vote on March 5th. This legislative move, part of a broader trend, positions New Hampshire alongside other states considering similar financial measures. House Bill 302, which is among seven Bitcoin-related bills currently before the U.S. House, proposes that the state Treasurer is empowered to allocate up to 5% of certain state funds, including the General Fund and the Education Trust Fund, into digital assets.

While the bill does not explicitly name Bitcoin (BTC), it establishes criteria that a digital asset must have a minimum average market capitalization of $500 billion over the previous year, effectively limiting the investment option to Bitcoin. Additionally, this proposal permits the Treasurer to diversify investments into precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum. Introduced by Republican Representative Keith Ammon and co-sponsored by Democrats Chris McAleer and Carry Spier, this legislation reflects a cautious yet optimistic attitude toward integrating cryptocurrency into state financial strategies.