Montana moves closer to allowing Bitcoin investment in state reserves

The Montana Chamber’s Business and Work Committee has advanced a bill that seeks to establish a reserve allowing investments in bitcoin, precious metals and stablecoins.

Presented by the representative Curtis Schomer, the bill of Chamber 429 landed in the House on February 7 and has now erased its first major obstacle with a 12-8 Committee vote February 19. Despite the unified opposition of the Democrats, the bill obtained sufficient support from the Republicans to move forward.

Now the bill goes to Full Montana House for a vote. If he adopts, he will move to the State Senate for additional debate and approval. From there, he would need the governor’s signature to become the law.

If it is adopted, Montana would establish a special income account of the state dedicated to investment in digital assets, precious metals and stablecoins within the framework of a broader reserve strategy.

The bill authorizes the treasurer of the State to transfer up to $ 50 million in the general fund in this account by July 15, 2025. These funds would be managed by the Montana Board of Investments and allocated to assets deemed appropriate under the criteria of the bill.

The bill defines digital assets as virtual currencies, cryptocurrencies, stablescoins and other assets based on blockchain with economic or owners. However, to be eligible for investment, a digital asset must have a market capitalization exceeding $ 750 billion, on average during the previous calendar – a requirement that bitcoin is currently meeting.

A change in the bill has removed a prior requirement that assets must be held by a qualified custodian or through a negotiated stock market fund. This change expands the way in which the State can manage its investments, allowing more direct detention of assets.

Montana joins an increasing list of American states exploration Bitcoin reserves, with IllinoisNew Mexico, North Dakota,, OhioPennsylvania, southern Dakota, and TexasAmong other things, also presenting similar bills.

So far, UTAH remains the only state where a Bitcoin reserve bill has cleaned the house. According to Denis Porter, CEO of Satoshi Act Fund, Utah could become the first US state to establish a Bitcoin reserve because of its short legislative calendar.

On the contrary, the chances that a bitcoin reserve is established at the national level seem to fade. A polymarket survey with more than $ 7 million assets has been chances that Donald Trump created a Bitcoin strategic reserve in his first 100 days at only 10%, down 40% in January.