Florida Pushes New Bill to Invest 10% of Public Funds in Bitcoin and Other Digital Assets

Highlights:

• Florida proposes allowing 10% of public funds to be invested in Bitcoin and other digital assets.
• The bill expands beyond Bitcoin, adding strict rules for managing and securing digital holdings.
• Florida’s crypto move mirrors other U.S. states aiming to modernize financial systems through digital assets.

On Wednesday, Florida lawmaker Webster Barnaby introduced a bill to allow the state to invest public funds in Bitcoin and other digital assets. The proposal was unveiled during the 2026 legislative session. House Bill 183 would let the state’s Chief Financial Officer invest up to 10% of selected public funds, including the Budget Stabilization Fund, the General Revenue Fund, and other trust funds, in digital assets and exchange-traded products. The bill would also allow the State Board of Administration to invest up to 10% of the Florida Retirement System’s Trust Fund in digital assets.

Florida Bill Defines Bitcoin and Other Digital Assets Under Strict Rules

The bill says digital assets include digital assets like Bitcoin, crypto exchange-traded products (ETFs), non-fungible tokens, crypto securities, and other blockchain-based products. House Bill 183 mentions that the digital assets must follow strict rules and can be held by the CFO, a qualified custodian, or an SEC-registered ETF. 

The proposal suggests that BTC and other digital assets could strengthen Florida’s finances by serving as stores of value and hedges against inflation. It also cites an executive order from US President Donald Trump that created a federal Bitcoin strategic reserve, noting that Florida aims to follow his example. “This state seeks to align its policy with these national directives by creating a secure, transparent framework to lawfully acquire, hold, and manage Bitcoin and other digital assets as part of its broader fiscal strategy,” the bill stated.

🇺🇸 NEW: Florida files first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve bill of the 2026 legislative session.

House Bill 183 would allow the state to invest 10% of public funds in digital assets, and permits retirement fund investment. pic.twitter.com/sI4bUBiiB3

— Bitcoin Laws (@Bitcoin_Laws) October 16, 2025

The new crypto bill is similar to Webster’s earlier proposal (HB 487), which was stopped in May. However, this new version adds extra rules for keeping, managing, and lending digital assets safely. It includes clear standards for how these assets should be stored and recorded. Another big change in the new bill is that it allows investments in more than just Bitcoin. This change could help the state diversify its digital asset portfolio if the bill is approved. If the bill is approved, the new policy will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Florida takes strategic Bitcoin reserve bills off the table

Two Florida crypto bills have been removed from the legislative process in the latest blow to American state-level strategic Bitcoin reserve ambitions.

Florida’s House Bill 487 and Senate Bill 550 have been… pic.twitter.com/18iz5FFW8o

— ME (@MetaEraHK) May 6, 2025

Florida’s Bitcoin Bill Could Shape Future of State Crypto Investments

The new House Bill 183 follows examples from Arizona, New Hampshire, and Texas, according to Bitcoin Laws. Many other states plan to revisit such proposals in early 2026. “States are now trying to modernize their financial systems,” said Julian Fahrer, founder of Bitcoin Laws.

The bill is waiting for hearings in the Florida House. It will only become law if the Senate approves it and the governor signs it. As the bill moves forward, Florida’s proposal could test whether digital assets can truly support public finance. It will also show whether U.S. states are ready to manage Bitcoin like a modern-day sovereign wealth fund.