Crypto Law Profile

North Carolina Bitcoin Reserve and Investment Act

Pending North Carolina Senate bill that would authorize the State Treasurer to place up to 10% of public funds into a Bitcoin reserve, with cold-storage custody, audits, limited uses, and quarterly reporting.

North Carolina, U.S. In committee Bill

At a glance

Status Pending in Senate Rules and Operations; no roll call votes on file.
Reserve authority Would let the Treasurer allocate up to 10% of public funds to BTC.
Custody controls Would require state custody, cold storage, multisig, audits and insurance.
Reporting Would require quarterly reports to the General Assembly and public website posting.

Bill details

Bill number
SB 327
Session
2025-2026
Chamber
Senate
Legislative stage
Committee 1

Action

Last action
Referred to Senate Rules and Operations of the Senate after first reading.
Last action date
Mar 19, 2025

Sponsor

Primary sponsor
Sen. Todd Johnson; Sen. Brad Overcash
Sponsor party
Republican
Co-sponsors
Sen. Timothy Moffitt [R].

Source

Source provider
State legislature
Source ID
S327
State legislature
Official bill page

Overview

The North Carolina Bitcoin Reserve and Investment Act is a pending North Carolina Senate bill that would create a state Bitcoin Reserve under the Office of the State Treasurer. Filed as Senate Bill 327 for the 2025-2026 session, the proposal would authorize the Treasurer to allocate up to 10% of public funds into Bitcoin as part of the state’s long-term financial strategy. As of June 10, 2026, the bill has not been enacted and remains a pending measure referred to the Senate Rules and Operations Committee.

This profile covers the latest available text of S327 and should be read as a bill profile rather than a description of current North Carolina law. The bill states that it would become effective when it becomes law, so no operative effective date applies unless and until the General Assembly passes the measure and it is enacted.

What SB 327 would create

SB 327 would establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve for North Carolina and place Bitcoin acquired with authorized public funds into that reserve. The proposal frames the reserve as a financial innovation strategy and would give the State Treasurer authority to use Bitcoin-backed investment strategies, including lending and other regulated yield-generating activities. The text also refers to staking; editors should preserve that wording as bill language rather than treating it as a technical description of native Bitcoin.

  • Allocation authority: The Treasurer would be authorized to allocate up to 10% of public funds into Bitcoin.
  • Reserve structure: Bitcoin acquired under the authority would be placed into a dedicated Bitcoin Reserve.
  • Long-term purpose: The reserve would be managed as a strategic asset rather than as a general payment account.

Custody, audits and reserve management

The bill would require the Treasurer to manage the reserve using cold-storage wallets with multi-signature authentication. It would also require the creation of a department within the Treasurer’s office to hold custody of the reserve, with the stated aim of keeping management and direct asset control within a state entity. In addition, SB 327 would create a Bitcoin Economic Advisory Board composed of industry experts to provide ongoing guidance.

For accountability, the bill would require monthly audits covering the reserve’s status, balance, security and financial performance. It would also call for state-backed insurance policies addressing cyber threats and economic downturns. Separately, the Treasurer would have to submit quarterly reports to the General Assembly and publish those reports on the Treasurer’s website.

Acquisition, use restrictions and liquidation limits

SB 327 would direct Bitcoin acquisition through strategic bulk purchases on regulated U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchanges. The text also directs the Treasurer to explore Bitcoin mining operations as a possible way to increase state holdings. These provisions are framed as proposed authority and process requirements; they do not authorize any purchases unless the bill becomes law.

The bill would limit use of the reserve to specified circumstances. Covered uses include severe financial crisis response when alternative reserve assets are insufficient, state-approved investment strategies, infrastructure and economic development projects approved by the General Assembly, Bitcoin-related research and business incentives, and bond backing for public projects. Liquidation of reserve Bitcoin would require approval by at least two-thirds of members of both chambers present and voting.

Status and legislative timeline

S327 was filed on March 18, 2025, passed first reading in the Senate on March 19, 2025, and was referred that day to the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations. LegiScan lists the bill as introduced and pending in that committee, and its vote page reports no roll call records currently on file. The latest bill draft listed by LegiScan is the March 19, 2025 amended PDF, while the North Carolina source links include filed and first-edition bill text.

Regulatory context

SB 327 includes an express compliance clause requiring the Treasurer to comply with applicable federal and state laws regarding cryptocurrency holdings and taxation. For taxonomy and editorial purposes, the bill fits primarily under Government Crypto Holdings, Custody, Mining, and Taxation & Reporting. It is a state bill, not an enacted act, and it should not be described as creating a current North Carolina Bitcoin reserve unless the measure advances and becomes law.

Key provisions

Strategic Bitcoin reserve authority

Would authorize the Treasurer to allocate up to 10% of public funds into BTC and place acquired Bitcoin into a state reserve.

Government holdings Source

State custody and cold storage

Would require cold-storage wallets, multi-signature authentication, and a Treasurer’s office department with custody of reserve Bitcoin.

Custody Source

Audits, insurance and advisory board

Would create a Bitcoin Economic Advisory Board and require monthly audits plus state-backed insurance policies.

Oversight Source

Acquisition and mining exploration

Would direct strategic bulk purchases through regulated U.S. exchanges and require the Treasurer to explore Bitcoin mining operations.

Mining Source

Use and liquidation restrictions

Would limit reserve uses and require two-thirds approval of both chambers present and voting before liquidation.

Reserve controls Source

Quarterly public reporting

Would require quarterly reports to the General Assembly on reserve status, value and performance, with website publication.

Reporting Source

Timeline

  1. Filed in the Senate

    Senate Bill 327 was filed for the 2025-2026 North Carolina session.

    Introduced Source
  2. Passed first reading

    The bill passed first reading in the Senate.

    Introduced Source
  3. Referred to Senate Rules

    The bill was referred to the Senate Rules and Operations Committee.

    In committee Source

Who it affects

Actors

North Carolina General Assembly, Office of the State Treasurer

Asset classes

Bitcoin

Official sources

Editorial note

As of June 10, 2026, S327 remains pending in the Senate after referral to Rules and Operations on March 19, 2025. This profile describes the latest available bill text, not enacted law.