Bitcoin Magazine
Kentucky Senate Unanimously Approves Legislation Safeguarding Bitcoin Self-Custody Rights
In a significant development yesterday evening, the Kentucky Senate cast a unanimous vote to pass a pivotal bill designed to safeguard Bitcoin self-custody rights and bolster digital asset mining activities. The legislation, known as AN ACT relating to blockchain digital assets (HB 701), received overwhelming support with a vote tally of 37-0 and is now on its way to the Governor’s office for the final nod.
NEW:
Kentucky Senate passes bill that will protect Bitcoin self custody rights with 0 votes against it.
The bill now heads to the Governors desk. pic.twitter.com/HPciWIgpZO
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 14, 2025
Spearheaded by Representatives Adam Bowling and T.J. Roberts, this proposed legislation explicitly affirms the rights for individuals to maintain custody of their digital assets using self-hosted wallets. Furthermore, it prevents local zoning regulations from unfairly targeting digital asset mining ventures, thus ensuring that Bitcoin miners can operate without restrictions throughout the state.
The bill encompasses several crucial provisions, including:
- Safeguarding Bitcoin self-custody: Individuals are legally empowered to utilize and store digital assets within self-hosted wallets.
- Ban on discriminatory zoning practices: Local authorities are prohibited from implementing zoning modifications that disproportionately impact digital asset mining enterprises.
- Exemption from money transmitter licensing: Home-based Bitcoin miners and digital asset mining firms are not subject to Kentucky’s money transmitter laws.
- Clarification of securities regulations: Digital asset mining and staking services are explicitly excluded from securities categorization under Kentucky law.
The bill, which garnered a startling 91-0 vote in the Kentucky House on February 28, 2025, progressed through the Senate without delay. The vote on March 13 showcased unanimous bipartisanship, with 37 senators supporting, none opposing, and one abstaining.
The proposed law is now awaiting the Governor’s signature, which would formally establish protections for Bitcoin self-custody and the rights of digital asset miners within Kentucky’s legislative framework. Upon enactment, Kentucky may emerge as one of the nation’s leading Bitcoin-friendly states, potentially inspiring similar initiatives across other states.
This article Kentucky Senate Unanimously Approves Legislation Safeguarding Bitcoin Self-Custody Rights was originally published on Bitcoin Magazine, authored by Nik.
