New Hampshire has officially become the first US state to allow its government to invest directly in cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, following the signing of a groundbreaking new law by Governor Kelly Ayotte on May 6. The legislation, known as House Bill 302, was approved by both the state House and Senate earlier this year.

Under the new law, New Hampshire’s treasury can allocate funds toward cryptocurrencies with a market capitalization exceeding $500 billion. This effectively limits investments to major digital assets like Bitcoin, avoiding riskier altcoins and memecoins. The bill also permits investment in precious metals, signaling a broader shift toward alternative reserves.

Governor Ayotte emphasized the move as a step into the future, with state Republicans declaring New Hampshire as the leader in the evolving digital economy. “The Live Free or Die state is leading the way in forging the future of commerce and digital assets,” the party posted on social media.

The decision sets New Hampshire apart from other states considering similar legislation. In Arizona, a crypto reserve bill was recently vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs, while Florida withdrew its proposals entirely.

New Hampshire's bold crypto strategy aligns with rising federal momentum around Bitcoin adoption. Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March advocating for a national “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.” In parallel, Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced the BITCOIN Act, which proposes that the US government could manage over 1 million BTC obtained through seizures.

As the race to embrace digital assets intensifies, New Hampshire has positioned itself at the forefront, potentially influencing state and federal financial policy for years to come. The move could mark the beginning of a broader trend in government-backed crypto adoption.