Kentucky Senate Passes Bill Protecting Bitcoin Self-Custody Rights

Yesterday evening, the Kentucky Senate unanimously passed a measure aimed astatine protecting Bitcoin self-custody rights and integer plus mining operations. With a decisive 37-0 vote, the legislation, titled AN ACT relating to blockchain integer assets (HB 701), present moves to the Governor’s table for last approval.

Sponsored by Representatives Adam Bowling and T.J. Roberts, the measure affirms the close of individuals to self-custody integer assets done self-hosted wallets. Additionally, it prevents section zoning laws from discriminating against integer plus mining businesses, ensuring that Bitcoin miners tin run freely wrong the state.

The measure outlines respective cardinal provisions, including:

• Protection for Bitcoin self-custody: Individuals person the ineligible close to usage and store integer assets successful self-hosted wallets.
• Prohibition of discriminatory zoning laws: Local governments cannot enforce zoning changes that unfairly people integer plus mining businesses.
• Exemptions from wealth transmitter licensing: Home Bitcoin miners and integer plus mining businesses are exempt from Kentucky’s wealth transmitter requirements.
• Clarification of securities laws: Digital plus mining and staking arsenic a work are explicitly not classified arsenic securities nether Kentucky law.

After passing done the Kentucky House with a 91-0 ballot connected February 28, 2025, the measure moved swiftly done the Senate. The March 13 ballot saw afloat bipartisan support, with 37 senators voting successful favor, zero opposed, and 1 not voting.

The authorities present awaits the Governor’s signature, which would officially enshrine Bitcoin self-custody protections and integer plus mining rights into Kentucky law. If signed, Kentucky volition go 1 of the much Bitcoin-friendly states successful the country, mounting a precedent for different states to follow.