Missouri eyes crypto reserve
A Missouri bill would authorize a state crypto reserve to hold BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP and USDC — a pivot some lawmakers pitch as ‘financial sovereignty’ for the state (x.com). If passed, it would be one of the clearest examples yet of U.S. sub‑federal governments formalizing crypto on‑balance‑sheet (x.com).
House Bill 2080, introduced by Representative Ben Keathley, would create a “Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund” inside the Missouri state treasury. (house.mo.gov) The measure was referred to the Missouri House Commerce Committee on Feb. 19, 2026 and the committee held a public hearing later that month. (cointelegraph.com) (kbia.org) The bill authorizes the state treasurer to accept gifts, grants, donations, bequests or devises of bitcoin from eligible Missouri residents or governmental entities. (documents.house.mo.gov) Donated bitcoin would be required to be placed in cold storage and held in custody for at least five years before any sale, transfer, or conversion, and transactions involving foreign entities or persons known to engage in illegal activities are explicitly prohibited. (documents.house.mo.gov) HB 2080 also gives the treasurer authority to invest, purchase, and hold cryptocurrency using state funds and to contract with third‑party cryptocurrency entities for custody and security. (documents.house.mo.gov) The proposal would require all Missouri governmental entities to accept Department of Revenue‑approved cryptocurrency for taxes, fees, fines and other payments, with the payer potentially liable for service fees on those transactions. (documents.house.mo.gov) This is Keathley’s second push for a state bitcoin reserve after a similar bill, HB 1217, received a hearing in 2025 but did not advance out of committee. (theblock.co) The Missouri House record lists a proposed effective date of August 28, 2026 for HB 2080 if the bill is enacted. (house.mo.gov)
