Missouri lawmakers have revived their push to formalise Bitcoin as a state reserve asset, advancing House Bill 2080 to the House Commerce Committee after a similar effort stalled in 2025.

The measure, introduced in January by Representative Ben Keathley, was referred to the committee on Feb. 19, where it will face a public hearing, possible amendments, and a committee vote before returning to the House floor. 

If approved by the full chamber, it would proceed to the Senate for readings, committee consideration, debate, and a final vote before heading to Governor Mike Kehoe for signature or veto.

The legislation carries a proposed effective date of Aug. 28.

HB 2080 would establish a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund within the state treasury and authorise the treasurer to “invest, purchase, and hold cryptocurrency using state funds,” according to the bill summary. 

In addition to permitting direct purchases, the bill allows the state to accept “gifts, grants, or donations” of bitcoin from Missouri residents and government entities.

Assets placed in the reserve would be subject to a mandatory five-year holding period, during which they cannot be sold, transferred, or converted. 

The proposal also requires custody safeguards, including cold storage protocols and restrictions on transactions involving foreign countries or individuals outside Missouri. 

The treasurer would be empowered to contract with a qualified United States-based third-party cryptocurrency entity to assist with security and administration, and would be required to publish a biennial public report detailing the fund’s holdings and activity.

A separate provision would allow Missouri government entities to accept cryptocurrency approved by the Department of Revenue for the payment of taxes, fees, fines, and other obligations, with transaction costs potentially borne by the payer.

The bill represents Keathley’s second attempt to create a state-level bitcoin treasury. 

His earlier proposal, House Bill 1217, was introduced in February 2025 and referred to the House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs. 

Although it received a public hearing in March, it did not secure a committee vote and ultimately died when the session ended. 

The latest version has instead been assigned to the House Commerce Committee, a move that could place the measure before lawmakers more focused on financial and business policy.

In the meantime, some US states have already crossed the finish line or are currently navigating the legislative process to establish similar reserves.

New Hampshire enacted HB 302 in May 2025, allowing its treasurer to invest up to 5% of public funds in digital assets with a market capitalization above $500 billion, a threshold that effectively limits eligibility to Bitcoin. 

Texas followed in June 2025 with SB 21, creating the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which requires cold storage and permits reinvestment of reserve revenues into additional bitcoin purchases. 

Arizona adopted a different model under HB 2749, authorising the treasury to hold digital assets derived from seized or unclaimed property while prohibiting new taxpayer-funded acquisitions.

Meanwhile, at the federal level, President Donald Trump signed an executive order last year establishing a National Strategic Bitcoin Reserve funded by seized or crypto holdings. 

However, it remains a work in progress due to obscure legal provisions that have delayed some aspects of the implementation. 

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