Another U.S. state pushes bill to allow Bitcoin in retirement funds

Core Points - A new legislative proposal, House Bill 1042, aims to integrate cryptocurrency investment options into Indiana's public retirement and savings programs [1][2] - The bill expands investment authority for pension funds, allowing direct investment in cryptocurrency ETFs and stablecoin ETFs [2][5] - The initiative is designed to enhance consumer choice and prepare the state for evolving financial infrastructures [3][4] Investment Options - Under HB 1042, all public retirement programs must offer at least one cryptocurrency ETF option [4] - Specific pension funds, including those for law enforcement and public employees, will be authorized to invest directly in crypto ETFs [5] Regulatory Framework - The bill establishes a digital-assets framework that limits local governments' ability to regulate crypto-related activities [6] - Provisions prevent municipalities from imposing unreasonable restrictions on digital asset payments, custody, or mining compared to traditional financial activities [7] - It also prohibits special fees or taxes on digital-asset transactions that are not applied to similar non-crypto transactions [7] - The bill bans restrictions on digital-asset mining in industrial zones and allows private home mining under conditions permitted for other legal residential activities [8]