New Hampshire Becomes First U.S. State to Hold Bitcoin in Its Treasury

• New Hampshire first U.S. state to add Bitcoin to treasury.

• State approves 5% fund investment in high-market-cap digital assets.

In a groundbreaking move, New Hampshire has become the first state in the United States to officially include Bitcoin in its treasury reserves. On May 6, 2025, Governor Kelly Ayotte enacted House Bill 302 (HB 302), which established the Strategic Bitcoin and Digital Asset Reserve. State government financial management practices will undergo fundamental changes as we move into digital fiscal operations.

New Hampshire Authorizes 5% State Fund Investment in Digital Assets

Under this new law, the state treasury maintains authority to invest total state funds by up to 5% into selected digital assets. The fundamental limitation in this program is clear. The state treasury can only invest in assets that exceed a market capitalization threshold of $500 billion. Bitcoin remains the single cryptocurrency available within this market threshold and thus draws the law’s primary focus.

By adopting this policy, New Hampshire makes itself one of the leading states in digital asset regulation. Through a social media announcement, Governor Ayotte announced, “New Hampshire returns as the nation’s first state” because of this new law. I have just finalized a new bill that establishes our state’s ability to invest in cryptocurrencies alongside precious metals.

The new legislation begins its implementation process sixty days post-signature. The state treasury will utilize this period to construct both legal and technological systems that enable digital asset acquisition and protection. The digital assets must be stored at U.S.-regulated storage facilities while under the protection of rigorous security measures. The state government has two options: establishing state-managed multisignature wallets or partnering with regulated custodian services or approved exchange-traded products.

The legislators who drafted HB 302 used model policy provisions developed by Satoshi Action for spreading Bitcoin-friendly legislation throughout the United States. Dennis Porter, who leads Satoshi Action, explained that New Hampshire chose to do more than just endorse a bill. It sparked a movement. ” According to Porter, the law demonstrates that governments can handle taxpayer funds securely while diversifying investments and advancing public finance structures through Bitcoin’s value stability.

New Hampshire Sparks Bitcoin Movement in State Governance

Key figures were instrumental in making this law a reality. Longtime Bitcoin supporter Representative Keith Ammon brought forward the model bill to lawmakers when he introduced it in 2022. Republican Party leader Jason Osborne aided the successful progress of the bill through legislative channels, and New Hampshire Blockchain Council member Ian Huyett conducted grassroots activism. The state’s first laws of this kind received approval from Governor Ayotte after she made history as the first executive to support such legislation.

The new process diverges from what federal administrations attempt to do. Under the previous Trump administration, Bitcoin was discussed for a national reserve, yet their proposal focused on managing existing government-held Bitcoin rather than acquiring additional ones. Unlike similar measures, New Hampshire distributes specific designated funds to purchase Bitcoin.

According to the bill’s supporters, state Bitcoin reserves protect government funds from inflation and financial system instability, and economic volatility. Many states across the nation will likely follow New Hampshire’s pioneering decision through new policies that support Bitcoin investments.

For now, New Hampshire operates by itself with its digital asset reserve but its governing action could set the stage for numerous states to establish their own digital reserve funds across America.