South Dakota and Kentucky Lawmakers to Propose Bills for Strategic Bitcoin Reserves

Highlights:

• Kentucky and South Dakota plan Bitcoin reserve proposals influenced by Trump’s pro-crypto policies.
• Arizona becomes the first US state to approve a strategic Bitcoin reserve bill.
• Several states, including Texas and Ohio, follow Pennsylvania’s lead with Bitcoin proposals.

Countries worldwide are considering strategic Bitcoin reserves, influenced by US President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto policies. Several US states have recently proposed and passed Bitcoin bills. Kentucky and South Dakota have now joined the movement with plans to introduce their own Bitcoin proposals.

Logan Manhart, South Dakota State Representative, recently shared on X his intention to propose a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Highlighting the opportunity to take a proactive step, Manhart stated, “I am proud to say I will be bringing a bill in the South Dakota House that would create a strategic bitcoin reserve.”

I am proud to say I will be bringing a bill in the South Dakota House that would create a strategic bitcoin reserve.

Now is one of the few chances government has at being proactive.

Let’s have this conversation!

— Logan Manhart (@ManhartLogan) January 28, 2025

Dennis Porter, CEO and co-founder of the Satoshi Action Fund, is hopeful about the upcoming crypto surge in the US. He shared his excitement on Logan Manhart’s Twitter, saying, “Thank you for reaching out and looking forward to working with you to advance this bill!”

Kentucky Representative TJ Roberts plans to introduce a Bitcoin bill, aligning with the rising pro-crypto movement in the US. He shared that, upon his return to the General Assembly, he will propose a bill similar to Arizona’s recently passed law, aiming to create a Bitcoin reserve for Kentucky.

I will be filing a bitcoin strategic reserve bill on the first week of my return to the General Assembly.

— TJ Roberts (@realTJRoberts) January 28, 2025

13 States Push for Bitcoin Reserves, Including South Dakota and Kentucky

Pennsylvania was among the first US states to propose a strategic Bitcoin reserve. In November, the state introduced the Pennsylvania Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, which permits Bitcoin investments of up to 10% in its general, investment, and rainy day funds. Following the trend, Florida, Texas, and Ohio introduced similar Bitcoin reserve bills in December last year. Then, in January 2025, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Wyoming, and Utah submitted their proposals.

On January 27, the Arizona Senate Finance Committee approved a bill allowing state investments in Bitcoin. The Arizona Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act (SB1025), co-sponsored by Senators Wendy Rogers and Jeff Weninger, passed with a 5-2 vote. It would permit the state to invest up to 10% of its public funds, including pension systems, in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This marks the first approval step before Arizona establishes a Bitcoin reserve. The proposed bill will next go to the Senate Rules Committee for debate, then to the House of Representatives. Arizona would be the first state to mandate public funds invested in Bitcoin if approved.

According to Crypto Briefing, the U.S. Arizona Senate Finance Committee passed the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act (SB1025) on January 27, which allows up to 10% of public funds to be invested in virtual currencies such as Bitcoin. The bill will be submitted to the Senate Rules…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 28, 2025

If lawmakers in Kentucky and South Dakota follow through on their promises, the number of US states with Bitcoin reserve legislation will rise to 13. 

More States to Adopt Bitcoin Reserves in 2025: Analysts

This trend aligns with Dennis Porter’s expectation that up to 15 states will work on ‘Strategic Bitcoin Reserve’ reserves in 2025.

I can confirm that up to 15 states will be working on ‘Strategic Bitcoin Reserve’ legislation in 2025.

— Dennis Porter (@Dennis_Porter_) January 17, 2025

However, the Satoshi Action Fund stated on Jan. 27 that these filings are merely “the beginning of the journey.”

The firm added:

“To truly make an impact, we must focus on advancing and enacting strategic Bitcoin reserve legislation into law, turning these proposals into actionable policies that will shape a stronger, more resilient financial future for ALL Americans.”