Ohio Bitcoin Reserves and Cryptocurrency Laws

Ohio Bitcoin Reserves and Cryptocurrency Legislation

Ohio Bitcoin Reserve Overview

No Official Reserve
Friendly Regulatory Status
Proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (HB 18/SB 57, HB 703)

Ohio Bitcoin Reserves

Ohio Legislative Breakdown

State	BTC Reserves	% of US Holdings	Legal Status	Last Updated	Key Laws and Regulations
Ohio (OH)	No official reserve	0%	Friendly	2025-04-30	HB 18/SB 57: Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, up to 5% of school funds in Bitcoin (proposed, HB 18 passed committee, 2025) HB 703: Ohio Bitcoin Reserve Act, authorizes treasurer to invest in Bitcoin (proposed, lapsed, 2024) HB 220: Allows government use of blockchain technology (enacted 2020) OhioCrypto.com: Allowed tax payments in Bitcoin, suspended due to legal concerns (2018–2019) Money Transmitter Act (ORC 1315): Regulates virtual currency as money transmission (enacted)

Ohio Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

Current status is PROPOSED

Ohio has proposed multiple bills (HB 18/SB 57, HB 703) to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, allowing investments in Bitcoin to hedge against USD devaluation. HB 18, targeting up to 5% of school funds, passed the House Finance Committee in February 2025 but awaits further approval. HB 703 lapsed in 2024 but is planned for reintroduction. Ohio’s crypto-friendly stance is bolstered by prior blockchain adoption and an early tax payment program.

Using the Common Schools Fund and General School Fund (~$1.5 billion), Ohio could potentially purchase approximately 7,341 BTC, assuming a BTC price of $102,182, if HB 18/SB 57 are enacted.

2/26/2025

PASSED COMMITTEE

HB 18, Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, passed the House Finance Committee 22–10, proposing up to 5% of school funds for Bitcoin investments.

1/15/2025

PROPOSED

HB 18 and SB 57 introduced by Rep. Steve Demetriou, targeting Bitcoin investments for school funds to diversify state assets.

12/17/2024

PROPOSED

HB 703, Ohio Bitcoin Reserve Act, introduced by Rep. Derek Merrin, authorizing the treasurer to invest in Bitcoin; lapsed but planned for reintroduction.

8/28/2020

ENACTED

HB 220 enacted, allowing state and local governments to use blockchain for record-keeping and smart contracts.

6/1/2019

SUSPENDED

OhioCrypto.com tax payment program suspended after a lawsuit by Attorney General Dave Yost, citing legal concerns over third-party processors.

11/26/2018

LAUNCHED

OhioCrypto.com launched by Treasurer Josh Mandel, allowing businesses to pay taxes in Bitcoin via BitPay.

Ohio Bitcoin Reserves and Cryptocurrency Legislation

Ohio Bitcoin Reserve Overview