Utah leads race to become first US state with Bitcoin reserve

Utah's fast-track legislation and year-round crypto task force put it ahead in the race to become the first US state with a Bitcoin reserve.

Utah is on track to become the first state in the US to establish a Bitcoin reserve, thanks to its fast-moving 45-day legislative calendar. This short timeframe pushes lawmakers to act quickly, giving Utah an edge over other states in the race to adopt Bitcoin at the state level.

Satoshi Action Fund CEO Dennis Porter believes Utah is ahead in this competition, pointing out that the state has a unique advantage—its digital asset task force. Unlike the legislative body, this task force operates all year, allowing continuous planning and strategizing even when the legislature is not in session. Once the legislative calendar resumes, these pre-planned initiatives move forward at full speed.

Across the US, multiple states are considering similar Bitcoin reserves. Even former President Trump pushed for a national reserve, though his executive order did not meet expectations. The competition between states and federal efforts to establish a reserve has intensified, but Porter sees Utah as the clear leader.

“There’s a strong chance Utah will be the first,” he stated in an interview with Senator Cynthia Lummis. “Their legislative calendar is the shortest in the country—just 45 days. It’s an all-or-nothing sprint, and no other state has the same level of political momentum.”

Lummis, a senator from Wyoming and a key player in federal crypto legislation, agreed. Although Wyoming has been active in digital asset regulation, she acknowledged that Utah is in the best position to launch a Bitcoin reserve first.

Several factors support this claim. Utah lawmakers introduced a Bitcoin reserve proposal in late January, and it swiftly moved through committee in just over a week—far faster than most states handle similar bills.

Additionally, Utah has had a digital asset task force in place since 2022, allowing continuous work on crypto policy. While its legislative sessions are short, this task force ensures that policymakers stay ahead of the curve. Utah’s long-standing pro-crypto stance, combined with an efficient regulatory structure, makes it an ideal place for a state-backed Bitcoin reserve.

With growing support and a burst of political energy, Utah could finalize this plan soon. The initiative is seen as a positive signal for Bitcoin’s future, even as broader market conditions remain volatile. While other political developments have caused instability in the crypto market, state-level legislative efforts like this provide a foundation for Bitcoin’s long-term adoption.