Last night, the Kentucky Senate gave a resounding thumbs-up to a bill designed to protect your right to self-custody Bitcoin and support digital asset mining businesses. In a unanimous 37-0 vote, the legislation, officially titled AN ACT relating to blockchain digital assets (HB 701), is now on its way to the Governor for the final step: approval.

Spearheaded by Representatives Adam Bowling and T.J. Roberts, this new bill champions individual control over digital assets through self-hosted wallets. Crucially, it also prevents local zoning rules from unfairly targeting digital asset mining operations, paving the way for Bitcoin miners to function freely across Kentucky.

Here’s a quick rundown of what the bill aims to achieve:

• Protection for Bitcoin self-custody: It ensures your legal right to manage and keep your digital assets in your own self-hosted wallets.
• No more discriminatory zoning: Local authorities can’t use zoning laws to specifically disadvantage digital asset mining businesses.
• Exemption from money transmitter licensing: If you’re mining Bitcoin at home or running a digital asset mining business, you won’t be subject to Kentucky’s money transmitter licensing requirements.
• Securities law clarity: The bill clarifies that digital asset mining and staking services are explicitly not considered securities under Kentucky law.

Having already sailed through the Kentucky House with a 91-0 victory on February 28, 2025, the bill moved quickly through the Senate. The vote on March 13th demonstrated strong cross-party agreement, with a striking 37 senators in favor, none against, and just one abstaining.

Now, the bill is just one step away from becoming law – it’s waiting for the Governor’s signature. If signed, this legislation will officially cement Bitcoin self-custody and digital asset mining rights in Kentucky, potentially making the state a national leader in Bitcoin-friendly policy and setting an example for other states to follow.