New Hampshire files HB639 to protect crypto payments and self-custody wallets

New Hampshire is making a strong bid to become the most crypto-friendly state in America. House Bill 639, formally titled the “Blockchain Basic Laws,” would create a new chapter in state law that explicitly shields digital asset payments, self-custody wallets, and mining operations from government interference.

The bill, primarily sponsored by Rep. Keith Ammon (R) along with several Republican co-sponsors, doesn’t just pay lip service to crypto rights. It draws actual legal lines in the sand.

What HB639 actually does

The legislation creates RSA chapter 359-V, a dedicated section of New Hampshire law covering blockchain operations. At its core, the bill does three major things.

First, it protects the right to use digital assets for legitimate purchases. State and local governments would be prohibited from blocking or restricting crypto payments.

Second, it enshrines the legality of self-custody. Whether you store your crypto on a hardware wallet, a software wallet, or any other non-custodial solution, HB639 says the government can’t come after you for simply holding your own keys.

Third, the bill exempts home miners and mining businesses from money-transmitter licensing requirements for their mining activities.

The bill also establishes a blockchain dispute docket within New Hampshire’s superior court system. Consenting parties involved in blockchain-related disagreements can opt into this specialized track.

HB639 also carefully defines key terms, including digital assets, wallets, nodes, and mining, providing legal clarity for users and operators alike.

The legislative timeline and political context

The bill was introduced in January 2025, passed the House by April 2025, underwent amendments in the Senate, and was officially enrolled on July 1, 2026. It currently awaits gubernatorial action.

One notable provision is the ban on special taxes tied specifically to digital asset usage for payments. This means New Hampshire cannot create a crypto-specific transaction tax.

Environmental advocacy groups have pushed back against the bill’s mining provisions, arguing that protecting mining operations from regulatory oversight could have environmental consequences.

What this means for investors and the broader market

For blockchain startups, a state that explicitly protects the right to operate a node, mine at home, accept crypto payments, and resolve disputes through a specialized court system is a state worth incorporating in. New Hampshire could attract a disproportionate share of crypto businesses relative to its size, much like Wyoming did after passing its own suite of crypto-friendly laws starting in 2018.

The money-transmitter exemption for miners removes one of the biggest barriers to entry for small-scale mining operations in the US, which could encourage a more distributed mining landscape within New Hampshire.

The bill still needs the governor’s signature to become law. New Hampshire in 2025 also became the first state to permit the treasurer to allocate up to 5% of public funds into prominent digital assets such as Bitcoin, and HB639 builds on that trend.

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