Indiana lawmaker pushes for Bitcoin in pensions and crypto payment protections

An Indiana lawmaker introduced legislation Thursday that would broaden access to digital asset exposure for savers in the Midwestern state, while also barring local governments from enacting rules that could limit the use of cryptocurrencies.

The initiative, proposed by Rep. Kyle Pierce (R), would require retirement and savings programs used by government officials to make exchange-traded funds that provide cryptocurrency exposure available as investment options, according to a description of “House Bill 2014.”

Additionally, the legislation would limit the ability of local governments to adopt rules that “unreasonably” restrict the use of digital assets in payments, cryptocurrency mining or the ability of individuals to secure digital assets on their own.

The bill was referred to the House Financial Institutions Committee in Indiana. Amid discussions about redistricting, Indiana’s 2026 legislative session began on Monday, instead of in January.

Pierce, who was elected to the Indiana General Assembly in 2022, said in a statement that the state of Indiana “must be prepared to participate in a smart, responsible way,” and his bill “gives Hoosiers more investment choices while putting in place guardrails.”

The version of the bill introduced Thursday includes language that would require the state to evaluate how cryptocurrencies could be used by the government, while leaving room for pilot programs.

While the legislation would prevent local governments from evicting cryptocurrency miners from areas designated for industrial use, it would also protect “private digital asset mining.” in a private home located in an area designated for residential use.”

The initiative is distinct from bills in other states that allow governments to make allocations to digital assets on their own behalf, such as a bill that passed in New Hampshire. Other crypto-related accounts have done so tried to tax transactions to finance public health measures.

This year, state lawmakers have proposed several bills that reflect elements of a strategic reserve for Bitcoin that U.S. President Donald Trump has established in March. In addition to New Hampshire, this included Texas and Arizona among the few states to take the measures.