Florida lawmakers have kicked off the 2026 legislative session with a groundbreaking proposal that could make the Sunshine State one of the first in the U.S. to formally integrate Bitcoin into its public finance system.
The newly introduced House Bill 183 seeks to authorize the state’s chief financial officer (CFO) to allocate up to 10% of select public funds, including the General Revenue Fund, Budget Stabilization Fund, and other trust reserves, into digital assets such as Bitcoin and regulated exchange-traded products.
Bitcoin as a State-Level Asset Class
If enacted, the legislation would empower both the CFO and the State Board of Administration to diversify a portion of Florida’s financial reserves — including retirement system funds, into approved crypto investments. This move would establish Bitcoin as a legitimate store of value and inflation hedge within Florida’s fiscal portfolio, positioning the state as a leader in public-sector digital asset adoption.
The bill defines “digital assets” broadly, covering Bitcoin, tokenized securities, and NFTs, while mandating that all holdings remain under strict custody protocols via state-approved custodians or SEC-registered ETFs.
Inspired by Federal Bitcoin Reserve Policy
HB 183 builds upon momentum from the March 2025 White House executive order, which created a federal “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” to safeguard against currency devaluation and financial instability. Citing that order as precedent, Florida lawmakers argue that Bitcoin can serve a similar role at the state level, offering both resilience and diversification for public funds.
If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2026, signaling the state’s official entry into the Bitcoin economy.
Digital Payments for Public Services
Beyond investments, the proposal also introduces a tax innovation component. Florida residents would be able to pay select taxes and fees using Bitcoin or other approved digital assets, with those payments converted into U.S. dollars before being transferred to the state’s general fund.
This initiative, if adopted, would place Florida at the forefront of state-level Bitcoin integration, blending traditional finance with the digital economy and reinforcing its growing reputation as one of America’s most crypto-friendly jurisdictions.
