TechFlow news — On March 15, according to Bitcoin Magazine, the Kentucky State Senate unanimously passed a bill protecting the right to self-custody Bitcoin and digital asset mining with a 37-0 vote. The bill, titled "AN ACT relating to blockchain digital assets" (HB 701), has now been sent to the governor's office for final approval.
Introduced by Representatives Adam Bowling and T.J. Roberts, the bill affirms individuals' rights to self-custody digital assets through self-hosted wallets. Additionally, it prevents local zoning laws from discriminating against digital asset mining operations, ensuring Bitcoin miners can operate freely within the state.
Key provisions of the bill include: protection of Bitcoin self-custody rights; prohibition of discriminatory zoning regulations; exemption of home-based Bitcoin miners and digital asset mining businesses from money transmission licensing requirements; and clarification that digital asset mining and staking services are not considered securities under Kentucky law.
The bill previously passed the Kentucky House of Representatives on February 28, 2025, by a vote of 91-0. If signed into law by the governor, Kentucky will become one of the most Bitcoin-friendly states in the U.S.
