Utah’s Senate passes Bitcoin bill — but scraps key provision

Utah lawmakers have passed a Bitcoin bill after amending it to remove a section that would have authorized the state treasurer to invest in Bitcoin.

Utah’s Bitcoin bill has passed the state Senate, but without its cornerstone, a clause that would have made it the first US state with its own Bitcoin reserve.

The HB230 “Blockchain and Digital Innovation Amendments” bill now only provides Utah citizens with basic custody protections, the right to mine Bitcoin (BTC), run a node and participate in staking, among other things.

The 19-7-3 vote to pass the measure on March 7 means the bill is now headed to Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s desk to be signed into law.

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