Tennessee lawmakers are contemplating laws that might permit 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, often 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 in the course of the present session of the 114th Tennessee Normal Meeting.
It could grant the State Treasurer authority to take a position 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 basic 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 international liquidity. The invoice argues {that a} fiduciary investor might use such an asset to enhance long-term, inflation-adjusted returns.
“That is about accountable stewardship of public funds,” Barrett mentioned in an announcement. He in contrast bitcoin to gold and framed it as a hedge in opposition to inflation.
Tennessee follows a rising wave of U.S. states exploring Bitcoin-focused coverage, with lawmakers in South Dakota and Kansas introducing payments that might permit public funds to be allotted to bitcoin or positioned right into a strategic Bitcoin and digital belongings reserve.
On the similar time, states like Rhode Island and Florida have revived or reintroduced laws aimed toward learning Bitcoin, easing its use, or doubtlessly including it to state stability sheets below outlined oversight frameworks.
10% of Tennessee’s basic fund into bitcoin
Below the proposal, the Treasurer may allocate funds from the overall fund, the income fluctuation reserve, or different state funds authorized 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 yr till the cap is reached. The invoice permits passive value positive aspects 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 might be held straight by the state, via a certified custodian, or by way of an exchange-traded product tied solely to bitcoin.
All types of publicity would depend towards the identical cap.
The invoice units detailed custody requirements. A “safe custody answer” should retailer personal keys in encrypted {hardware} saved offline in at the least two places. 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 exams. 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 listing 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 simply accept bitcoin for taxes, charges, or different state obligations. Participation could be voluntary. Any bitcoin acquired 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 stability sheets face dangers that conventional belongings don’t hedge,” mentioned David Birnbaum, president of the Tennessee Bitcoin Alliance. He mentioned bitcoin affords diversification as a consequence 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 threat evaluate could be due by October 1, 2032.
Lawmakers would then resolve whether or not to proceed, revise, or repeal this system.
If authorized, the act would take impact on July 1, 2026.
