SKN | Missouri Moves Forward With Revived State Bitcoin Reserve Proposal

Key Points

• Missouri lawmakers have advanced House Bill 2080, a proposal allowing the state to establish a Bitcoin strategic reserve.

• The bill would authorize the state treasurer to purchase, hold and store bitcoin for up to five years using state funds and approved donations.

• If passed, the legislation would move to the Senate and ultimately to Governor Mike Kehoe for approval or veto.

Bill Heads to Committee Review

Lawmakers in the U.S. state of Missouri have taken the next step toward creating a state-level Bitcoin reserve.

House Bill 2080 was referred to the House Commerce Committee on Feb. 19, where it will undergo a public hearing, committee deliberation and a vote before potentially advancing to the full House for debate.

The proposal was introduced in January by Missouri Representative Ben Keathley as a revival of an earlier effort that stalled in 2024.

Treasurer Authority to Hold Bitcoin

Under HB 2080, the Missouri state treasurer would be authorized to “invest, purchase, and hold cryptocurrency using state funds.”

The bill specifically allows the treasurer to store bitcoin for a period of five years. After that window, the holdings could be transferred, sold or converted into another digital asset. The legislation also permits the treasurer to accept gifts, grants and donations from Missouri residents or government entities to fund the reserve.

However, the measure prohibits transactions involving foreign countries or entities outside Missouri, reinforcing a domestic focus for the proposed reserve.

In addition to reserve holdings, the bill would allow certain government entities to accept cryptocurrency approved by the Department of Revenue as payment for taxes, fees and fines.

Legislative Path Ahead

If the House Commerce Committee approves the bill, it would return to the Missouri House floor for debate and a vote. Should it pass there, the legislation would move to the Senate for additional readings, committee review and a final vote.

The final step would require approval or veto from Mike Kehoe, Missouri’s governor.

The bill lists a proposed effective date of Aug. 28 if enacted.

A Second Attempt

This is not Missouri’s first attempt at establishing a Bitcoin reserve.

A similar proposal, House Bill 1217, was introduced in 2024 but failed to advance beyond committee review. Although a public hearing was held, the measure did not receive the votes needed to proceed to the House floor.

The revived effort reflects a broader national conversation about state-level bitcoin reserves, particularly after asset managers such as VanEck suggested that adoption across U.S. states could generate tens of billions of dollars in additional demand for the asset.

Part of a Wider Trend

Missouri’s proposal comes amid growing political interest in bitcoin as a strategic asset. Some lawmakers across the United States have framed digital assets as a hedge against inflation and federal monetary policy, while others view reserves as a way to signal technological alignment.

Whether HB 2080 gains sufficient political momentum remains uncertain. However, its advancement to committee review marks a tangible step forward in the ongoing debate over state-backed digital asset holdings.