Indiana lawmakers have passed House Bill 1042, sending the crypto rights legislation to Governor Mike Braun after it cleared both chambers by a 59–33 vote.
The bill seeks to protect Bitcoin and broader cryptocurrency investor rights by banning discriminatory taxes and preventing state and local agencies from restricting lawful crypto payments, self-custody and mining operations.
If signed, most provisions would take effect July 1, while a requirement for certain state retirement and savings plans to offer a self-directed brokerage account with at least one crypto investment option would take effect by July 1, 2027.
The retirement provision would apply to the legislators’ defined contribution plan, the Hoosier START plan and specified public employee and teacher retirement funds, marking the first time Indiana residents could access crypto exposure within these state-linked plans.
Under the legislation, public agencies other than the Department of Financial Institutions would be barred from imposing regulations that prohibit digital asset payments for legal goods and services or levy special taxes on crypto transactions and self-custodied holdings.
The bill also blocks enforcement of rules that would prohibit crypto mining by businesses or individuals, subject to carve-outs outlined in the legislation.
Indiana joins states such as Oklahoma and Kentucky in passing crypto investor protection measures, though its inclusion of retirement plan access distinguishes it from other state-level bills.
The measure now awaits the governor’s signature, which will determine whether Indiana becomes one of the first states to formally integrate crypto protections and retirement access into state law.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $67,312.49.