New Hampshire Becomes First U.S. State to Approve Bitcoin Reserve Investment

New Hampshire has become the first U.S. state to authorize the investment of public funds into cryptocurrency, with Governor Kelly Ayotte signing a new bill into law on Tuesday. The legislation permits up to 5% of the state’s public funds to be invested in digital assets, provided they have a market capitalization of at least $500 billion—currently making bitcoin (BTC) the only eligible asset.

Governor Ayotte celebrated the move on social media, declaring, "New Hampshire is once again first in the Nation." The new law gives the state treasurer the authority to establish a strategic crypto reserve, positioning New Hampshire ahead of the federal government and other states that have explored similar measures.

The legislation was championed by State Representative Keith Ammon, who stated that the law supports financial innovation and helps protect against inflation driven by federal monetary policy. He credited the Satoshi Action Fund, a pro-Bitcoin nonprofit, for its advocacy in making the initiative a reality.

Dennis Porter, founder of the Satoshi Action Fund, hailed the decision as a pivotal step, noting that having one state take the lead will likely accelerate momentum across the country. "The first one’s the hardest," he said, emphasizing the importance of New Hampshire’s pioneering role.

While other states like Arizona and Florida have recently stalled or vetoed similar proposals, North Carolina remains a potential contender with legislation still under review. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has proposed establishing a federal bitcoin reserve, though no official action has been taken by the U.S. Treasury.

New Hampshire's landmark move could inspire a wave of crypto-forward legislation as more states explore the benefits of blockchain-based financial strategies.