On Jan. 23, President Trump signed an executive order to form an internal working group aimed at making America the world capital of crypto. As a North Carolina resident, entrepreneur, and crypto builder since 2016, I see an unprecedented opportunity for our state to lead in financial innovation and economic empowerment. 

I believe that now is the time for North Carolina to establish a Bitcoin reserve — a bold move that could redefine our economic landscape and secure financial freedom for generations.

Our state has long been a beacon of innovation and courage. In 1776, North Carolina was first to freedom, declaring independence ahead of the nation. Today, we have a similar opportunity to pioneer financial sovereignty in the digital age. Even though our mountain quartz in Spruce Pine powers much of the global Bitcoin computer network, we have yet to take a leadership role in Bitcoin adoption.

Bitcoin is no longer an outsider’s asset. With the SEC’s approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, major institutional players like BlackRock have poured billions into Bitcoin, confirming its legitimacy in traditional finance. Since January 2024, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has seen its Bitcoin ETF attract approximately $15 billion in investments.

Meanwhile, Washington is aligning itself with the digital asset economy. 

The SEC’s new crypto task force, guided by Commissioner Hester Peirce, signals a shift toward constructive regulation that complements state initiatives in support of Bitcoin. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a seasoned hedge-fund leader with deep financial expertise, now brings a pro-crypto stance to national economic policy. 

And with David Sacks, the president’s AI and crypto czar, making it clear that digital assets are central to America’s economic future, the message is unmistakable. Bo Hines, a North Carolina native and the newly appointed executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, is working under Sacks to ensure the United States not only participates in the digital asset revolution but leads it.

The signals are undeniable. Bitcoin is here to stay. The timing could not be better for North Carolina to assume a leadership position in this transformative movement.

A key milestone in our journey is the NC Digital Assets Investments Act, known as House Bill 92, which was introduced on Feb. 10, 2025, by Speaker Hall and co-sponsored by state Reps. Mark Brody and Steve Ross.

This legislation is an essential first step. It grants the state treasurer the authority to invest public funds in digital assets under strict investment requirements designed to ensure both security and financial prudence. 

Under this bill, only exchange traded digital assets are eligible, eliminating exposure to unverified projects. In addition, only assets with a minimum market capitalization of $750 billion dollars qualify, and at the time of this writing, Bitcoin is the only asset that meet these requirements. 

Investments will be capped at 10% of total fund balances to mitigate risk and maintain a balanced strategy. Eligible funds include state pensions, the General Fund, and the Highway Trust Fund, meaning that the benefits extend to all North Carolinians. With $9.6 billion in reserve funds and $127 billion in retirement systems, this move represents a potential $13.7 billion Bitcoin investment. This is possibly the largest state-level crypto initiative ever proposed and a bold step toward financial sovereignty.

While this legislation lays the groundwork for responsibly integrating digital assets into our financial strategy, we must push further to fortify this initiative. North Carolina should begin accepting digital asset payments for state administrative fees, taxes, and government services. Only assets meeting the high standards set by House Bill 92 should be eligible for transactions. This approach will not only future proof our revenue system but also attract businesses and entrepreneurs eager to operate in a jurisdiction that understands and welcomes digital innovation.

Across the nation, other forward thinking states, such as Arizona, Utah, Florida, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, are already embracing Bitcoin as a strategic asset. With Charlotte as the second-largest financial hub in the US, North Carolina is uniquely positioned to lead this movement, not just follow. We have a unique opportunity to harness Bitcoin as a tool for economic protection and growth.

A Bitcoin reserve will help shield North Carolinians from inflationary pressures, attract cutting edge businesses and capital investment, create new economic opportunities and jobs, and position our state as a national leader in digital finance.

This is not about following a trend. It is about securing financial independence in the same spirit our founders fought for centuries ago. North Carolina has always been a state of pioneers and innovators. From the Wright brothers taking flight to the breakthroughs at Research Triangle Park, we have a proud history of pushing boundaries. A Bitcoin reserve represents the next chapter in our story of economic leadership and financial sovereignty.

House Bill 92 is a historic and promising step in the right direction, yet we must go further. North Carolina must secure its digital future with a Bitcoin reserve, supported by robust security measures and integrated digital asset payments for state services. It will solidify North Carolina as a digital asset powerhouse and ensure that our state remains a leader not only in the United States but globally. 

To our state leaders, the time to act is now. Let us embrace this opportunity and transform North Carolina into a beacon of financial sovereignty and economic empowerment.