New Hampshire became one of the most crypto-friendly US states after Governor Kelly Ayotte signed the Blockchain Basic Laws Act, adding self-custody protections and a specialized court docket for digital asset disputes.
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New Hampshire enacts blockchain protections after 5% bitcoin reserve law
Governor Kelly Ayotte signed HB 639 into law last week, making New Hampshire one of the most crypto-friendly states in the US with legal protections for self-custody, blockchain developers, miners, and validators.
"The Blockchain Basic Laws protect one of the most fundamental rights in the digital economy — the right of individuals to control their own digital assets through self-custody," Representative Keith Ammon, the bill's primary sponsor, said in a statement. "They also provide clear legal protections for blockchain developers, miners, validators, entrepreneurs, and businesses building the next generation of financial technology."
The legislation, known as the Blockchain Basic Laws Act, also creates a specialized blockchain dispute docket within the state's superior court system. It follows a May 2025 law — also signed by Ayotte — that authorized the state treasurer to invest as much as 5% of New Hampshire's public funds in bitcoin and precious metals such as gold and silver. Ammon, who helped steer that earlier bill through the legislature, described it at the time as "one little way our state could hedge against inflation in the future."
"Today, with the signing of HB 639, we have taken another major step by enacting one of the most comprehensive blockchain rights laws in the country," Ammon said. "Entrepreneurs, investors, developers, and innovators across America should know that New Hampshire is open for blockchain business."
Despite the advances, the state's Executive Council voted 3-2 last week against a separate proposal that would have allowed the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority to facilitate a bitcoin-backed municipal bond, signaling that political resistance to certain crypto applications persists even in friendly jurisdictions.
The New Hampshire moves come as other states take divergent approaches to crypto regulation. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein this month signed 17 bills into law, including House Bill 920, which imposes new rules on cryptocurrency kiosks — requiring fraud warnings, capping daily transaction limits, and limiting service fees to 12% of a transaction's value. North Carolinians lost more than $12 million in frauds and scams involving crypto kiosks, according to Stein's office. Unlike New Hampshire's permissive stance, North Carolina's approach focuses on consumer protection through tighter controls.
The contrast between the two states highlights the fragmented US regulatory landscape for digital assets, where state-level policy ranges from active encouragement to strict oversight. New Hampshire's combination of a bitcoin reserve authorization and comprehensive blockchain rights positions it as a potential hub for crypto businesses seeking legal clarity, though the blocked bond proposal shows that not all applications of the technology have won over state officials.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
