Indiana Lawmaker Champions Crypto-Forward Bill

An Indiana lawmaker is pushing for legislation that could significantly expand cryptocurrency access and adoption within the state. Representative Kyle Pierce (R) has introduced a bill that addresses both investment opportunities and regulatory safeguards for digital assets.

Key Provisions of House Bill 2014

The proposed legislation contains two main components:

• Crypto Exposure in Pensions: Public employee retirement and savings programs would be required to offer exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with cryptocurrency exposure as investment options. This opens up the possibility of including Bitcoin-based ETFs in retirement accounts.
• Local Government Restrictions: The bill aims to prevent local governments from enacting rules that "unreasonably" restrict the use of digital assets for payments, cryptocurrency mining, or individual self-custody of crypto assets. This provision seeks to create a uniform and predictable regulatory environment for crypto businesses and users across the state.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the state to evaluate the potential applications of cryptocurrencies within government operations, opening doors for potential pilot programs.

The bill also includes language to protect digital asset mining in residential areas zoned for residential use.

Key Takeaways

• Indiana is considering proactive legislation regarding cryptocurrency.
• The bill addresses both investment opportunities and regulatory certainty.
• This initiative sets Indiana apart from states solely focusing on government crypto allocations.