Ohio has turn out to be the newest US state to maneuver towards permitting cryptocurrency funds for presidency providers after the State Board of Deposit unanimously permitted its first vendor to course of digital asset transactions, in accordance with a Wednesday announcement from the Ohio secretary of state.
The transfer makes Ohio the fourth state to authorize cryptocurrencies for charges, following Colorado and Utah. Louisiana additionally handed a legislation earlier this 12 months to undertake comparable measures.
This growth marks the board’s approval of the primary vendor contract for crypto funds, constructing on the proposal designating cryptocurrencies as a licensed monetary transaction gadget, which was handed unanimously by the board in May 2025.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose welcomed the choice, saying it’s going to assist Ohio keep its place as one of many high states for enterprise.
“I wish to commend Treasurer Sprague, Auditor Faber, and Attorney General Yost for taking this daring step to place us on the forefront of the rising digital financial system,” mentioned LaRose in a Wednesday assertion.
“My workplace processes lots of of hundreds of economic transactions annually, and we’ve heard a rising demand for a cryptocurrency fee choice. I’m excited and able to be the primary to offer it to our prospects.”
“There’s a purpose why we now rank among the many high 5 states within the nation to do enterprise,” added LaRose, saying Ohio was “not afraid to embrace the instruments, developments and applied sciences that incentivize job creators to come back right here.”
Cointelegraph has reached out to the Ohio secretary of state for extra particulars on the implementation timeline and which cryptocurrencies will likely be supported.
Related: Ohio introduces invoice stopping state taxes on crypto funds
Lawmakers push for Ohio Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve
In April, LaRose and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague known as on the board to authorize cryptocurrency funds, searching for to provide state businesses the authority to just accept crypto by way of a fee processor designated by the treasurer’s workplace.
The secretary of state’s workplace goals to turn out to be Ohio’s first state company to just accept payment funds utilizing cryptocurrency.
Related: Ohio House passes invoice permitting as much as $200 tax-free crypto funds
LaRose has additionally supported House Bill 18, which seeks to create the Ohio Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve.
This proposition seeks to create a separate digital asset reserve from Ohio’s Bitcoin reserve proposition, which was launched on Dec. 17, 2024, Cointelegraph reported.
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