Home Louisiana passes pro-Bitcoin, anti-CBDC crypto bill

Louisiana passes pro-Bitcoin, anti-CBDC crypto bill

TL:DR

  • Louisiana enacted the "Blockchain Basics Act" on June 19, set to take effect on August 1, 2024.
  • The Act protects home digital asset miners, allows Bitcoin payments, and prohibits CBDC creation.
  • Senator Cynthia Lummis and other national figures have expressed support for the bill.

On June 19, Louisiana quietly enacted House Bill 488, a crypto bill known as the “Blockchain Basics Act” or “Bitcoin Rights” bill.

The legislation, set to take effect on August 1, 2024, marks a significant step in potentially limiting the influence of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The Act provides legal protections for home digital asset miners.

The draft also ensures the right to self-custody of digital assets, allows freedom to use Bitcoin as a payment method, and prohibits CBDC creation. Congressman Mark Wright, who spearheaded the bill, told Forbes:

The states are creating a blueprint for federal policy. It won’t be long until we see the impact in Washington. The success of HB 488 highlights the power of states as ‘laboratories of democracy’ and demonstrates bitcoin’s potential to unify Americans regardless of their political perspectives

Louisiana joins Oklahoma, Montana, and Arkansas in recently passing Bitcoin-centered legislation. The bill is based on the Satoshi Action Model Policy, as noted by Dennis Porter, co-founder and CEO of the Satoshi Action Fund.

Louisiana’s appreciated crypto bill

The passage of this bill has drawn attention from national political figures. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) expressed support on social media. She wrote in an X post:

Wow. Congrats!

States leading the way. This is why Bitcoiners should be American patriots. You can fight for your rights and WIN.

Washington is a mess but America is awesome.

As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election approaches, candidates’ stances on cryptocurrencies are gaining prominence. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has spoken against CBDCs and taken pro-crypto positions.

Incumbent President Joe Biden has generally favored regulation of digital assets and has considered establishing a CBDC. Still, as the presidential race started heating up, Biden started making concessions to the crypto crowd.

At the end of May, Biden’s campaign begun seeking input from the the cryptocurrency industry, a significant departure from when Biden proposed imposing a 30% tax on crypto mining power. Mid-June reports also suggest that he is considering accepting crypto donations via Coinbase Commerce for the 2024 election.

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The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech, gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, AI breakthroughs, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Radek Zielinski
Tech Journalist

Radek Zielinski is an experienced technology and financial journalist with a passion for cybersecurity and futurology.

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