Missouri Advances Bill to Create State Bitcoin Strategic Reserve

Missouri’s Proposed Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Framework

House Bill 2080 would create a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund managed by the Missouri State Treasurer. The legislation authorizes the Treasurer to receive, invest, and hold bitcoin under specified conditions.

Under the proposal, the Treasurer could accept gifts, grants, or donations of bitcoin from eligible Missouri residents or governmental entities. Any such bitcoin holdings would need to be custodied for at least five years before being sold, transferred, or converted, according to the bill summary. The bill also permits the Treasurer to purchase cryptocurrency using state funds.

In addition, Missouri government entities would be allowed to accept approved digital assets for taxes, fees, and other payments. The Treasurer would be required to prepare a biennial public report detailing the activity of the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund.

The bill received its first and second readings in January 2026 and was referred to the House Commerce Committee on February 19, marking a formal step in the legislative process.

Legislative Background and Wider Policy Context

HB 2080 represents Representative Ben Keathley’s second legislative attempt to establish a state-level bitcoin reserve. His earlier initiative, House Bill 1217, was introduced in February 2025 and similarly sought to create a dedicated bitcoin reserve fund with the Treasurer as custodian. That measure received a hearing in the House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs in March 2025 but did not advance and lapsed in committee before the end of the session.

Missouri’s renewed effort comes amid increasing U.S. policy interest in government bitcoin reserves. The U.S. federal government created a national strategic bitcoin reserve in 2025 following President Donald Trump’s March executive order. Several U.S. states are also considering or implementing bitcoin or crypto reserve frameworks: lawmakers in Kansas and Florida have advanced similar proposals, while Arizona, Texas, and New Hampshire have already passed their crypto reserve legislation.

FAQ

What is House Bill 2080 proposing for Missouri?
House Bill 2080 proposes the creation of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund within the state treasury, authorizing the Missouri State Treasurer to receive, invest, and hold bitcoin, accept certain bitcoin donations, purchase cryptocurrency with state funds, and oversee a biennial public report on fund activities.

How long must Missouri hold donated bitcoin under the bill?
The bill specifies that bitcoin received as gifts, grants, or donations must be held in custody for at least five years before any sale, transfer, or conversion.

How does HB 2080 differ from Representative Keathley’s previous bill?
HB 2080 is a renewed effort following HB 1217, introduced in February 2025. While both sought to create a state bitcoin reserve with the Treasurer as custodian, HB 1217 advanced only to a hearing in the House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and ultimately died in committee, whereas HB 2080 has now been referred to the House Commerce Committee.

How does Missouri’s initiative fit into broader U.S. policy trends?
Missouri’s proposal aligns with a broader trend of governmental interest in bitcoin reserves, including the establishment of a national strategic bitcoin reserve by the U.S. federal government in 2025 and similar or enacted crypto reserve measures in states such as Kansas, Florida, Arizona, Texas, and New Hampshire.