Lawmakers in Missouri are weighing a new framework for digital assets, with a proposal for a missouri bitcoin reserve at the center of a broader crypto policy shift.
Summary
House Bill 2080 and the creation of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund
Missouri’s 103rd General Assembly has introduced House Bill 2080, sponsored by Representative Keathley, to establish a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund in the state treasury under RSMo Chapter 30. If enacted, the State Treasurer would oversee the fund and receive Bitcoin donations from eligible Missouri residents and governmental entities.
The legislation defines Bitcoin as a decentralized digital asset that operates without a central authority. Under the proposed structure, the State Treasurer would act as custodian of the new fund. Contributions could arrive via gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or devises, ensuring multiple channels for building up state-held crypto reserves.
Once Bitcoin enters state custody, it must remain in the fund for a minimum of five years. After that period, the treasurer may sell, transfer, appropriate, or convert the assets. However, this mandatory holding window is designed to reduce short-term speculation and encourage a long-term approach to digital asset management at the state level.
Security standards and biennial transparency reporting
Security plays a central role in the bill. The treasurer would be required to maintain cold storage custody and use other secure custodial tools to protect the fund’s Bitcoin holdings. Moreover, the bill authorizes the state to contract a qualified, U.S.-based third-party cryptocurrency entity to support these safeguards.
To enhance public oversight, the bill mandates a biennial transparency report from the State Treasurer. These reports must cover total Bitcoin holdings, their U.S. dollar value, historical fund growth, transactions, identified security threats, and the amounts eligible for conversion under the law. Reports would be due before December 31 of each even-numbered year, starting after the bill’s effective date.
According to the proposal, this reporting obligation is meant to give residents clear visibility into how the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund evolves over time. That said, it also sets a recurring disclosure schedule that aligns with existing state auditing practices and budget cycles.
Expansion of government crypto payments across Missouri
Beyond the reserve itself, HB 2080 seeks to expand government crypto payments across Missouri. Under proposed Section 30.1030, all governmental entities would be required to accept cryptocurrency approved by the Department of Revenue for taxes, fees, fines, assessments, and other charges. However, the department would retain authority to decide which assets qualify.
The bill allows service or processing fees associated with crypto transactions to be passed on to the payer. This provision gives agencies flexibility to cover costs while still opening the door to digital asset payments. The text does not specify which cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin may be authorized, leaving that decision to future rulemaking under the missouri bitcoin reserve framework.
This broader acceptance mechanism represents a notable evolution in state-level digital asset policy. Moreover, if implemented, it could make Missouri one of the early states to systematize crypto-based payments for a wide range of public obligations.
Donor recognition, eligibility, and compliance restrictions
The proposal also introduces a structured crypto donor recognition program tied to the fund. Upon request, the State Treasurer may issue a certificate of acknowledgment to individuals or organizations that contribute Bitcoin. In addition, significant contributions could receive further public recognition through a formal honors program managed by the treasurer’s office.
Donor eligibility, however, remains at the State Treasurer’s discretion. If a donor is later deemed ineligible, their Bitcoin must be returned rather than retained by the fund. The bill explicitly prohibits Bitcoin transactions involving foreign countries, entities located outside Missouri, or any parties known to be connected with illegal activity.
Only U.S.-based partners may assist in administering or securing the fund. Moreover, the bill stipulates that any rulemaking authority it grants will be void if the related legislative oversight provisions are ever ruled unconstitutional. This safeguard is intended to preserve separation of powers while still allowing the executive branch to implement the new policy.
Implications of Missouri’s crypto policy initiative
HB 2080 positions Missouri’s treasury as an early adopter of state treasurer bitcoin management practices, combining long-term holding rules, strict security, and regular public reporting. However, its success will depend on legislative support and the state’s ability to implement technical safeguards through qualified U.S. partners.
Overall, the missouri crypto bill outlines a comprehensive framework for public-sector Bitcoin custody, taxpayer crypto payments, and donor recognition, signaling a broader shift in how states may handle digital assets in the coming years.
