Texas Moves to Protect Digital Currency Rights
Texas has taken a major step toward embracing financial innovation by voting to amend its state Bill of Rights to include digital currencies. The amendment ensures that Texans have the constitutional right to possess, retain, and use digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC) for trade, payments, and personal transactions.
Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the measure — 139 in support and only two opposed — reflecting a broad bipartisan consensus on protecting financial freedom in the digital age.
Bill HJR 146: Defining Financial Freedom
The amendment, introduced as Bill HJR 146 by State Representative Giovani Capriglione, explicitly guarantees Texans the right to use a mutually agreed-upon medium of exchange. This includes “digital currencies, coins, cash, scrip, or bullion” for contracting goods, services, and trading.
A key clause of the bill reads:
“No government shall prohibit or hinder the ownership or holding of any form or quantity of money or other currency.”
This declaration enshrines the right of Texans to hold and transact in digital assets, setting a precedent for broader financial autonomy and privacy protection.
Strengthening the Texas Bill of Rights
The Texas Bill of Rights, similar to its U.S. counterpart, already protects freedoms of speech, religion, and the press. However, it also includes unique state-specific clauses — such as the right to a prompt trial and the right to bear arms for self-defense.
By adding digital currencies to the Bill of Rights, Texas becomes one of the first U.S. states to constitutionally safeguard financial privacy in the digital era.
Supporting Financial Sovereignty
The Texas Constitutional Enforcement group, which supported the measure, emphasized that recognizing digital currencies is a vital step in protecting citizens from potential overreach by governments or financial institutions.
“This inclusion is crucial in safeguarding Texans’ financial privacy,” the group stated, underscoring the growing demand for decentralized financial tools that empower individuals.
A Model for Other States
Texas’ latest move aligns with its broader strategy to become a leader in blockchain innovation, Bitcoin mining, and digital asset regulation. The amendment may inspire other U.S. states to consider similar constitutional protections for cryptocurrency users.
As digital assets continue to integrate into the global financial system, Texas is positioning itself as a pioneer in the movement to defend economic freedom and technological progress.
