The Pennsylvania House of Representatives introduced a bill allowing up to 10% of the state treasury's funds to be allocated to Bitcoin. This move is seen as a hedge against inflation and aligns with global trends toward digital assets.
Why Bitcoin? Hedge Against Inflation and Diversification
The proposal highlights Bitcoin as a 'financial hedge.' Republican Representative Mike Cabell argues that Bitcoin offers protection from economic instability, particularly as inflation impacts traditional assets. Pennsylvania could benefit from Bitcoin's growth by diversifying its holdings.
Broader Political Support
Pro-crypto advocates like Senator Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming have introduced similar federal bills. Lummis believes these initiatives could accelerate the legislative pathway for Bitcoin adoption. Recently, Pennsylvania passed the Bitcoin Rights Bill, protecting citizens' rights to self-custody digital assets.
Impact on Bitcoin’s Market
The introduction of Pennsylvania’s bill aligns with a surge in Bitcoin’s price following Trump’s election win. Optimism about Trump’s crypto-friendly policies has driven Bitcoin's price to over $93,000 per token. With a market cap exceeding $1.72 trillion, Bitcoin is now the world's seventh-largest asset.
If passed, Pennsylvania would be the first U.S. state to directly acquire Bitcoin as part of its treasury, potentially becoming a leader in financial innovation and illustrating the potential of digital assets as a protection against economic uncertainty.