California's Assembly unanimously approved Assembly Bill 1180, allowing state agencies to accept cryptocurrency payments. The bill is currently on its way to the Senate and could come into effect as early as July 1, 2026, with a pilot program running until January 1, 2031. If enacted, California would join states like Florida, Colorado, and Louisiana in the use of cryptocurrency for state obligations. The bill requires the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to establish regulations under the Digital Financial Assets Law for implementing these transactions. This initiative aligns with a broader trend as California seeks to foster the legal use of digital assets, further exemplified by another bill related to crypto self-custody rights that recently passed. Currently, approximately 117 merchants in California accept Bitcoin payments, reflecting a growing interest in integrating cryptocurrency into everyday transactions.

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