Rhode Island lawmakers have reintroduced a invoice to determine a particular legislative fee to check blockchain expertise and crypto, exhibiting some steady pro-bitcoin momentum for the state to discover its position within the digital asset financial system.
Senate Invoice S 2198, launched by Senators Lou DiPalma, Gu, Burke, Urso, Paolino, and Zurier, would create a five-member fee tasked with reviewing blockchain and cryptocurrency exercise throughout the nation, analyzing present Rhode Island legal guidelines, learning non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and consulting business specialists.
The fee would additionally present legislative suggestions to foster a pro-business surroundings whereas guaranteeing applicable client protections.
The fee’s composition contains the Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce as chair, the Director of the Division of Enterprise Regulation, and three public members appointed to signify academia, monetary establishments, and federal securities experience.
The panel is anticipated to satisfy not less than 4 occasions per 12 months, with a closing report due by January 5, 2028, and can function publicly, posting its findings on-line.
The invoice will not be completely new. It handed the Rhode Island Senate final 12 months as S 0373 however stalled within the Home (H 5810).
The Rhode Island Bitcoin Coverage Institute posted the reintroduction of the legislation on social media, thanking Senator DiPalma for sponsoring the invoice and noting that discussions with Deputy Home Speaker Ray Hull have made them optimistic about passage this session.
With cryptocurrency adoption rising nationwide and states competing to draw blockchain companies, Rhode Island’s effort displays a broader push to steadiness innovation with oversight and set up itself as a hub for rising monetary expertise.
Rhode Island’s bitcoin push
Earlier this month, Rhode Island lawmakers reintroduced a invoice to quickly exempt small-scale Bitcoin transactions from state earnings and capital positive aspects taxes, persevering with a push began final 12 months to scale back tax friction for on a regular basis Bitcoin use.
Senate Invoice S2021, launched by Senator Peter A. Appollonio and referred to the Senate Finance Committee, would exempt Bitcoin gross sales or exchanges as much as $5,000 per thirty days, with a $20,000 annual cap, for each residents and Rhode Island-based companies.
The invoice provides a brand new part to the state’s private earnings tax code, defining Bitcoin as a “digital, decentralized forex based mostly on blockchain expertise.”
Taxpayers may self-certify eligibility on returns with out reporting particular person transactions, sustaining data just for potential audits.
The Division of Enterprise Regulation would subject steerage on valuation and recordkeeping.
If handed, the exemption would take impact January 1, 2027, and sundown January 1, 2028, serving as a pilot program to deal with Bitcoin extra like on a regular basis cash moderately than a speculative asset.
