One the US states has significantly eased crypto regulation and made it more crypto-friendly. We break down what’s happening with crypto policy in New Hampshire.
Governor Kelly Ayotte has signed HB 639, known as the “Blockchain Basics Act.” The bill protects residents’ rights to:
- Self-custody digital assets
- Use cryptocurrencies to buy goods and services
- Freely operate nodes, mine, and stake
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The law also exempts miners and validators from money transmitter licensing and creates a specialized judicial process for blockchain disputes. The law takes effect on August 18, 2026.
Contents
What HB 639 Protects and How It Limits State Authority
HB 639 prohibits state and local authorities from restricting the use of digital assets for legal goods and services. It also protects the right to self-custody assets in non-custodial crypto wallets. The law separately guarantees the right to run nodes, connect to blockchain protocols, transfer digital assets, and participate in staking.
Bitcoin (BTC) mining and staking using personal funds will not be considered an offer or sale of a security under state law. A similar exemption applies to exchanges if assets remain under the platform’s or owner’s control.
The law also shields miners, node operators, and staking providers from liability for specific transactions if their involvement is limited to technical validation. These exemptions apply to New Hampshire law and do not override federal requirements.
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Special Court for Blockchain Disputes and State Warnings
HB 639 allows the state Supreme Court to create a separate proceeding for blockchain-related disputes. It could hear cases involving violations, contract disputes, fraud, and fiduciary duties. The first presiding judge could be appointed by the governor with the Executive Council’s approval. Candidates must have expertise in law and technology.
The state’s Department noted that HB 639 would limit the Securities Bureau’s authority over mining and certain staking services. The agency would lose the ability to seek investor restitution and impose fines in cases covered by the new exemptions.
The judicial system flagged uncertainties: the bill doesn’t clearly explain how smart contract provisions interact with existing contract law. That could lead to more litigation, the department estimated.
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Context: New Hampshire Positions Itself as a Crypto-Friendly State
New Hampshire is strengthening its status as one of the most crypto-friendly US states. In May 2025, it became the first state to allow a crypto reserve, letting the treasury allocate up to 5% of public funds to bitcoin and precious metals.
However, in July 2026, the Executive Council rejected CleanSpark’s $100M bitcoin-backed bond project in a 3-2 vote. The decision shows that even in a friendly state, political barriers to full crypto integration into public finance remain.
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