Missouri Considers Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Bill… Could Taxes Be Paid in Crypto?

▲ Cryptocurrency Regulation

The Missouri State Legislature has begun full-scale deliberations to pass a bill that would allow the state government to hold Bitcoin as a reserve asset, accelerating the integration of digital assets into the institutional framework.

According to a February 23 (local time) report by cryptocurrency-focused media outlet Cointelegraph, the Missouri House of Representatives has referred House Bill 2080 (HB 2080), which would permit the state to purchase and hold Bitcoin (BTC) using state funds, to the House Commerce Committee. The bill, submitted to the committee on the 19th, is set to proceed through a public hearing and committee vote before being brought to the House floor. Its core objective is to establish a legal basis for the state to utilize digital assets as official investment instruments.

Introduced in January by Missouri State Representative Ben Keathley, the bill grants the state treasurer the authority to invest in, purchase, and hold digital assets using state funds. The treasurer would also be allowed to receive gifts, grants, and donations from Missouri residents or government entities to build a Bitcoin reserve. The acquired Bitcoin could be held for up to five years before being sold or converted into other tokens. However, transactions with foreign countries or entities outside Missouri would be strictly prohibited.

Another key provision of the bill would allow residents to pay taxes, fees, fines, and other state-imposed charges in Bitcoin. By recognizing digital assets approved by the state Department of Revenue as official payment methods, the measure aims to enhance taxpayer convenience and expand the practical use of cryptocurrencies. Asset manager VanEck has projected that if U.S. state governments adopt strategic Bitcoin reserves, it could generate more than $23 billion in new market demand.

Rep. Keathley previously introduced a similar measure, House Bill 1217, in February of last year, but it failed to pass the committee stage and was ultimately discarded. The newly reintroduced HB 2080 comes amid a more favorable social climate toward digital assets and growing calls for institutional clarity. The bill is now under review by both the House and Senate, with the goal of securing the signature of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe. According to the Missouri House, the proposed effective date of the legislation is August 28.

Experts view Missouri’s move as a significant turning point in recognizing digital assets not merely as speculative instruments but as strategic assets for national and regional governments. If passed, the bill is expected to influence other states and accelerate Bitcoin adoption across the United States. While the Missouri Legislature has not yet set a date for a public hearing, it is expected to announce a detailed legislative schedule soon.

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