What happened?
Florida lawmakers introduced House Bill 183 in the 2026 legislative session to let the state invest in Bitcoin. The bill would allow the state chief financial officer to allocate up to 10% of specified public funds, including the General Revenue Fund and the Budget Stabilization Fund, into Bitcoin and ETFs, and would apply similar rules to the state retirement system with some limits. The proposal also includes strict custody and compliance safeguards and would permit certain taxes and fees to be paid in digital assets that are then converted to dollars.
Who does this affect?
This would affect Florida taxpayers and public employees whose pensions could see Bitcoin allocations as part of state-managed funds. It would also involve the state CFO’s office, qualified custodians, and crypto service providers responsible for custody, compliance, and conversions. In addition, businesses and investors in Florida could be impacted if the state begins accepting crypto payments and integrating digital assets into its financial operations.
Why does this matter?
If the bill passes, it could signal wider institutional acceptance of Bitcoin by a major U.S. state, potentially boosting demand and market sentiment in the crypto space. Allowing public funds and pensions to hold Bitcoin may increase volatility and liquidity needs for those portfolios and could prompt other states to propose similar measures. The move would also push custodial, regulatory, and compliance infrastructure to scale up, lowering barriers for institutional entry and affecting prices and capital flows in crypto markets.