California has taken a step nearer towards embracing crypto after a bill permitting state departments to just accept digital currencies sailed by the state’s lower house with a unanimous vote and is now headed for the Senate.
Meeting Bill 1180 (AB 1180), which passed the California State Meeting on June 2 with a 68-0 vote on its third studying, would require the Division of Monetary Safety and Innovation (DFPI) to develop guidelines allowing state charges and transactions beneath the Digital Monetary Property Legislation (DFAL) to be payable in crypto.
The DFPI is California’s regulatory company tasked with overseeing monetary providers and defending customers whereas selling accountable innovation. People and entities conducting crypto enterprise actions within the state should get hold of a license from the DFPI.
🇺🇸 JUST IN: California Meeting passes bill to permit the state to obtain payments in Bitcoin and digital currencies.
It handed 68-0, and now heads to the Senate. pic.twitter.com/3JWXlpuEWh
— Bitcoin Legal guidelines (@Bitcoin_Laws) June 3, 2025
If AB 1180 clears the Senate and is signed into regulation by Governor Gavin Newsom, the bill would change into efficient on July 1, 2026.
According to the bill’s sponsor, Democratic Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, a pilot program would run till Jan. 1, 2031, when it could change into absolutely operational.
If AB 1180 is handed, California may be part of the likes of Florida, Colorado and Louisiana which have accepted crypto payments for sure obligations lately.
California’s bill would require the DFPI to submit a report by Jan. 1, 2028, detailing all crypto transactions processed, along with any technical and regulatory challenges encountered.
Crypto transactions beneath DFAL are outlined as any digital illustration of worth that’s used as a medium of alternate, however shouldn’t be authorized tender.
AB 1180 noticed 4 amendments earlier than being handed by the California Meeting on June 2.
Probably the most notable exclusion involved a piece that sought to outline phrases associated to ride-sharing corporations and private autos used for transportation providers.
“Bitcoin rights” bill additionally within the works
AB 1180 seeks to enhance AB 1052, often called the state’s “Bitcoin rights” bill, which is targeted on laying out crypto self-custody rights for the state’s almost 40 million residents.
AB 1052 was passed within the first meeting committee in a unanimous 11-0 vote on Could 23 and has been ordered to a 3rd studying.
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The bill would additionally deem the usage of a digital monetary asset as a sound and authorized type of fee in private transactions and would prohibit public entities from limiting or taxing digital belongings solely based mostly on their use as fee.
A complete of 117 retailers at present accept Bitcoin payments in California, BTC Maps data reveals.
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