Is Arizona Set to Pioneer a Crypto Reserve in the U.S?

Key Points

• Arizona is progressing with two digital asset reserve bills, intensifying competition among U.S. states to establish Bitcoin reserves.
• Despite enthusiasm at the state level, skepticism remains at the federal level and among international regulators.

Arizona Advances Bitcoin Reserve Bills

Arizona is making significant strides in the establishment of strategic Bitcoin reserves across U.S. states. On March 24th, the state’s House Rules Committee passed two digital asset reserve bills, now set for a full House vote. If enacted, these bills would allow Arizona to establish a reserve backed by assets confiscated in criminal cases and newly allocated public funds.

While Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the House, provide a strong chance of approval, the final hurdle may be Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. Her history of vetoing bills in 2024 adds an element of uncertainty to the proposed legislation’s outcome.

Details of SB 1373 and SB 1025 Bills

Arizona’s bold move involves two key bills—SB 1373 and SB 1025—progressing in the legislature. SB 1373 proposes a state-managed digital assets reserve funded by confiscated criminal assets, with the state treasurer authorized to invest up to 10% of the reserve annually.

SB 1025, meanwhile, focuses on Bitcoin, suggesting that the state treasury and retirement system allocate up to 10% of their available funds to cryptocurrency. The bill also includes provisions for securely storing Arizona’s Bitcoin reserves in a federally regulated account, underscoring the state’s commitment to digital asset adoption.

Other States and Federal Level Response

As Arizona leads in establishing a state-backed digital asset reserve, other U.S. states, such as Texas and Oklahoma, are also making strides. However, states like Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania have firmly rejected similar proposals.

At the federal level, there remains skepticism, with Polymarket data indicating only a 28% chance of Trump establishing a Bitcoin reserve within his first 100 days. Globally, regulatory trends contrast, with countries like Russia, Japan, Switzerland, and South Korea imposing stricter regulations or moving away from crypto-friendly policies.

The crypto space continues to evolve rapidly, and 2025 could bring either explosive growth or a significant downturn.