Tennessee lawmakers are contemplating laws that will enable the state to carry bitcoin as a part of its public monetary reserves.
If handed, the measure would place Tennessee amongst a small group of U.S. states which have moved to formalize bitcoin holdings via statute.
Home Invoice 1695, generally known as the Tennessee Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act, was filed earlier this month by Rep. Jody Barrett (R–Dickson). The invoice is scheduled for consideration through the present session of the 114th Tennessee Common Meeting.
It could grant the State Treasurer authority to speculate a restricted share of choose state funds in bitcoin.
The invoice’s findings cite inflation as a central concern. Lawmakers state within the invoice that rising costs erode the actual buying energy of belongings held within the normal fund, the income fluctuation reserve, and different state swimming pools.
Bitcoin is described within the laws as a decentralized digital commodity with a hard and fast provide and world liquidity. The invoice argues {that a} fiduciary investor could use such an asset to enhance long-term, inflation-adjusted returns.
“That is about accountable stewardship of public funds,” Barrett stated in an announcement. He in contrast bitcoin to gold and framed it as a hedge towards inflation.
Tennessee follows a rising wave of U.S. states exploring Bitcoin-focused coverage, with lawmakers in South Dakota and Kansas introducing payments that will enable public funds to be allotted to bitcoin or positioned right into a strategic Bitcoin and digital belongings reserve.
On the identical time, states like Rhode Island and Florida have revived or reintroduced laws aimed toward learning Bitcoin, easing its use, or probably including it to state steadiness sheets below outlined oversight frameworks.
10% of Tennessee’s normal fund into bitcoin
Underneath the proposal, the Treasurer might allocate funds from the overall fund, the income fluctuation reserve, or different state funds authorised by lawmakers. Bitcoin publicity could be capped at 10% of every eligible fund on the time of buy.
Annual purchases could be restricted to five% per fiscal 12 months till the cap is reached. The invoice permits passive value beneficial properties to push holdings above the cap with out forcing gross sales.
The laws restricts investments to bitcoin solely. It bars allocations to different cryptocurrencies or digital belongings. Bitcoin could possibly be held immediately by the state, via a certified custodian, or by way of an exchange-traded product tied solely to bitcoin.
All types of publicity would rely towards the identical cap.
The invoice units detailed custody requirements. A “safe custody answer” should retailer non-public keys in encrypted {hardware} stored offline in a minimum of two areas. Entry would require encrypted channels and multi-party authorization.
Audit logs could be obligatory. Custody methods would face annual third-party code opinions and penetration checks. Suppliers would want catastrophe restoration plans.
Constant transparency checks
Transparency is a core characteristic of the proposal. Each two years, the Treasurer would want to publish a public report. The report would checklist the quantity of bitcoin held, its greenback worth at buy and on the finish of the interval, and a abstract of transactions.
It could additionally embody a cryptographic proof that permits third events to confirm on-chain balances. Safety evaluation summaries could be out there upon request.
The invoice additionally permits the Treasurer to create a program to just accept bitcoin for taxes, charges, or different state obligations. Participation could be voluntary. Any bitcoin obtained could be transferred to the overall fund and recorded at market worth. Companies could be reimbursed in {dollars}.
Supporters say the construction displays Tennessee’s broader method to asset administration. The state oversees greater than $132 billion in belongings, together with one of many top-rated public pension methods within the nation.
“Even sturdy steadiness sheets face dangers that conventional belongings don’t hedge,” stated David Birnbaum, president of the Tennessee Bitcoin Alliance. He stated bitcoin provides diversification because of its low correlation with different asset lessons.
The invoice directs the Treasurer to publish a bitcoin funding coverage by January 1, 2027. A full efficiency and danger assessment could be due by October 1, 2032.
Lawmakers would then determine whether or not to proceed, revise, or repeal this system.
If authorised, the act would take impact on July 1, 2026.
