West Virginia Introduces Bill to Allow 10% State Bitcoin Allocation

West Virginia is making a bold move into the world of digital money. In January, the state introduced Senate Bill 143 also called the Inflation Protection Act of 2026. The bill was introduced by State Senator Chris Rose and is now under review in the state legislature.

If passed, the bill would allow West Virginia to invest part of its public funds into Bitcoin, gold, precious metals and approved stablecoins. The goal is simple: protect state money from inflation and the falling value of cash. Currently, the bill is still in committee but the idea itself is already getting attention across the country.

What the Bill Actually Allows

Under Senate Bill 143, West Virginia’s Board of Treasury Investments would be allowed to invest up to 10% of public funds into approved assets. These include Bitcoin, gold, silver, platinum, approved stablecoins and Regulated crypto ETFs. But there is one strict rule. Any digital asset must have an average market value of at least $750 billion over the previous year. At the moment, Bitcoin is the only crypto that qualifies, with a market cap above $1.5 trillion.

The bill also says that if the value of Bitcoin rises above 10% of the fund, the state does not need to sell. It just can’t buy more until the percentage drops again. Security is also a big focus. The bill requires:

• Institutional-grade custody
• Secure private key storage
• Multi-signature protection
• Regulated custodians or ETFs

Some versions of the bill even allow staking and lending to earn extra returns, as long as the state keeps ownership of the assets.

Why States Are Turning to Bitcoin

West Virginia is not alone. Across the U.S., more states are starting to treat Bitcoin like digital gold. Texas, Wyoming, Arizona and New Hampshire already passed or proposed similar laws. These states see Bitcoin as a long-term hedge against Inflation that growing national debt. It leads to a falling value of the dollar and rising interest costs.

With U.S. debt now above $35 trillion, many states want a backup plan. Bitcoin’s fixed supply makes it attractive as a store of value. Gold has filled this role for thousands of years. Bitcoin is now doing the same in the digital age.

Supporters vs Critics

Supporters say this bill is smart financial planning. They believe Bitcoin can protect taxpayer money over the long term and help modernize state finance. They also say it puts West Virginia on the map as a forward thinking state. 

Critics are more cautious. They point to Bitcoin price swings and worry about risking public funds. Some argue that state money should stay in bonds and traditional assets. Still, even critics agree that Bitcoin is no longer just an experiment. It is now being discussed at the highest levels of government.

What Happens Next?

The bill now goes through committee review. If it passes, it will move to a full vote in the state legislature. After that, it would need the governor’s signature. There is no guarantee it becomes law. But even proposing it sends a strong signal. West Virginia is saying Bitcoin is no longer just for traders and tech people. It may soon be part of America’s public financial system and that is a very big shift.