A bill introduced in the New York State Assembly proposes allowing public agencies in that U.S. state to accept payments in cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin (BTC), for public services such as taxes, fines, and fees.
The initiative, known as House Bill A7788, seeks to modernize New York's financial systems, reflecting a growing interest in integrating digital assets into government operations.
A proposal to integrate cryptocurrencies into the state system
House Bill A7788, introduced on April 10, 2025, by Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, seeks to amend the State Finance Law to authorize public agencies to accept cryptocurrencies as payment. According to the bill, the digital currencies covered include bitcoin, ethereum (ETH), litecoin (LTC), and bitcoin cash (BCH).
These cryptoassets could be used to settle a wide range of financial obligations , from civil fines and penalties to taxes, rents, fees, charges, revenues, and other amounts owed to the state, including interest and special assessments.
The proposal does not require agencies to adopt cryptocurrencies, but rather empowers them to do so through agreements with cryptocurrency issuers or payment service providers.
These agreements, in turn, would define the terms and means under which transactions would be processed, ensuring that payments are final and unconditional. Furthermore, the bill contemplates the possibility of the state charging a service fee to cover costs associated with cryptocurrency transactions, such as those related to processing platforms or third parties.
The path to approval
House Bill A7788 is currently under review by the Assembly Government Operations Committee . If it advances, it will be considered by the state Senate, where it could face debates on its technical, economic, and regulatory feasibility.
One challenge of this potential implementation will be the need to educate both state employees and citizens about the use of cryptocurrencies. Although Bitcoin and other networks have gained popularity, their adoption remains limited compared to traditional payment methods. Agencies should implement intuitive and accessible systems to avoid confusion or errors in payments.
Additionally, New York has taken recent steps to address fraud in the cryptocurrency sector, such as the introduction of House Bill A06515 in March 2025, which seeks to establish criminal penalties to protect investors.
On the other hand, of the 50 states that make up the US, 20 have already introduced bills to create strategic reserves of Bitcoin in their treasuries. In that sense, New York is one of those that has so far stayed away from this initiative, which would allow it to accumulate more BTC in its coffers, although this legislative proposal could be a way to accumulate BTC.
