House Bill 2080, which proposes allowing the state treasurer to purchase and hold bitcoin with public funds, has been referred to the House Commerce Committee.
Missouri has taken a new step toward establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve. House Bill 2080 was referred to the House Commerce Committee on February 19, where it will face a public hearing, a committee vote, and potential amendment recommendations before returning to the full House for debate and a final vote.
The bill was introduced in January by Representative Ben Keathley and proposes authorizing the state treasurer to “invest, purchase, and hold cryptocurrencies using state funds.” The treasurer would also be permitted to accept donations, contributions, and funding from Missouri residents or government entities to build up the reserve.
Under the legislation, the treasurer is authorized to hold bitcoin for a period of five years, after which it may be transferred, sold, or converted. Transactions involving foreign countries or entities outside Missouri are expressly prohibited. An additional section of the bill proposes allowing government entities to accept cryptocurrencies approved by the Department of Revenue as payment for taxes, fees, penalties, and other charges owed by citizens.
No date has yet been set for the public hearing, but the legislation includes an effective date of August 28, according to the Missouri House of Representatives. Should HB 2080 pass the House vote, it would be transmitted to the Senate for a reading, committee review, floor debate, and vote. The bill would then move to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe for signature or veto.
This is not the first attempt in this direction. Keathley had already introduced a similar proposal, House Bill 1217, in February 2025. That bill was assigned to the House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, which held a public hearing in March of the same year, but failed to secure the committee vote needed to advance through the legislative process and was ultimately abandoned.
