The North Carolina House of Representatives approved House Bill 92, entitled the Digital Assets Investment Act, on April 30, 2025. The representatives approved the measure by a majority vote of 71 to 44. The State Treasurer can invest no more than 5% of state funds into specified digital assets under the current bill. The adoption of this bill represents an essential financial development. After House approval, the bill moves to the Senate.
The bill proposes a provision that lets public retirement plans and deferred compensation accounts invest through exchange-traded products (ETPs). This legislation sets the foundation for public employees to use authorized digital investment tools for retirement diversification. Furthermore, this bill will offer the public exposure to digital assets.
A broader plan for investment modernization
House Bill 92 receives additional backing from House Bill 506, known as the State Investment Modernization Act, since it obtained bipartisan approval. Moreover, the proposal introduces the North Carolina Investment Authority (NCIA) as a new governmental agency to manage state investment duties.
By implementing the NCIA, the state would apply all crypto asset requirements from HB 92 to guarantee secure third-party management and regulatory oversight.
Therefore, North Carolina’s legislative bills aim to modernize public investment, improve risk governance, and enhance transparency.
Strategic and economic implications
Digitization actions make North Carolina rise as a frontrunner in government innovation. With this strategic transition, the state will enhance investment returns through time and decrease its traditional market dependence. North Carolina’s approval of digital payments indicates its backing for fintech blockchain industries, thereby drawing new companies, which might increase economic performance.
Consequently, it now stands among multiple states that are currently working to create crypto-related policies across the nation. North Carolina stands alongside leading states in crypto asset policy by implementing its current strategy even though Arizona leads with advanced crypto legislation.
North Carolina showcases an example of states carrying out responsible strategic integration between public policy and financial innovation through the progression of Senate bills.
