A proposed law would allow the state treasury to invest up to 10% of public funds in cryptocurrencies.
West Virginia joins the growing list of U.S. states looking at Bitcoin as a store of value. On February 14, state Senator Chris Rose introduced the Inflation Protection Act of 2025 (SB 465), a law that would open the door for the state treasury to invest in digital assets.
The proposal would allow the Board of Treasury Investments to allocate up to 10% of public funds in precious metals and digital assets with a market capitalization over $750 billion, as well as U.S.-regulated stablecoins.
While Bitcoin is not explicitly mentioned in the text, it currently meets the criteria alongside stablecoins. The law also allows the treasury to hold digital assets directly or through third parties, as well as invest in exchange-traded products, such as spot ETFs.
A key feature of the proposal is the ability to lend or stake digital assets, as long as it does not “increase the state’s financial risk.” It’s important to note that Bitcoin, based on a proof-of-work consensus algorithm, cannot be directly staked, but could be used in wrapped form.
The bill will need to be reviewed by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee before being examined by the Finance Committee.
This proposal is part of a broader national trend: West Virginia is the 24th state to propose the establishment of a Bitcoin strategic reserve. Similar legislation has been rejected in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and North Dakota.
