Missouri Advances Bitcoin Reserve Bill to House Committee
On February 19, 2026, Missouri House Bill 2080 — introduced by Republican Rep. Ben Keathley — advanced to the House Commerce Committee after receiving its first and second readings in January, per The Block. This marks the second attempt by Keathley to establish a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Fund in the Missouri state treasury, following the failure of HB 1217 in 2025, which died in committee after a hearing, per.
Key Provisions of HB 2080
The legislation authorizes the Missouri State Treasurer to:
- Accept gifts, grants, or donations of Bitcoin from Missouri residents or government entities
- Receive, invest, and hold Bitcoin in the state treasury
- Retain holdings for a minimum of 5 years before any sale, transfer, or conversion
- Use state funds to purchase cryptocurrency
- Allow Missouri government entities to accept approved digital assets for taxes, fees, and other payments
- Submit biennial public reports on fund activity
These measures aim to position Missouri as a crypto-friendly state, similar to recent legislation in Arizona, Texas, and New Hampshire, per.
Broader Context and Momentum
Missouri’s bill arrives amid growing state-level interest in Bitcoin reserves following President Trump’s March 2025 executive order creating a national strategic Bitcoin reserve. Other states actively pursuing similar proposals include:
- Kansas and Florida — advancing comparable bills
- Arizona, Texas, and New Hampshire — already passed crypto reserve legislation
The revival of Missouri’s effort signals increasing legislative momentum for state treasuries to hold Bitcoin as a strategic asset, potentially influencing broader adoption and regulatory discussions nationwide.
Market and Investor Implications
While Bitcoin (BTC) currently trades around $113,000 (down from recent highs), state-level reserve initiatives could support long-term demand if more jurisdictions follow suit. Investors should monitor:
- House Commerce Committee progress
- Potential Senate companion bill
- Comparable legislation in other states
For those tracking institutional and sovereign adoption, state Bitcoin reserves represent a growing tailwind alongside federal developments and corporate treasuries (e.g., MicroStrategy, Metaplanet).
