Rhode Island Bitcoin & Blockchain Legislation

Bills we've drafted and championed in the Rhode Island General Assembly.

📋 2025-2026 Legislative Session

Active Bills — 2026 Session

Currently under consideration in the RI General Assembly

H.7956 + S.2198 ↗ In Committee

Studying Blockchain's Potential — Legislative Commission

📅 2026 Session 👤 Sponsors: Sens. DiPalma, Gu, Burke, Urso, Paolino, Zurier 📁 Builds on 2025's H.5810/S.0373

Creates a special legislative commission to study blockchain and cryptocurrency. Studies applicability of blockchain technology for use cases such as voting, land registries, and public records. Evaluates tax implications, revenue opportunities, and cost efficiencies. Interim report January 2027; final report January 2028.

Benefits for Rhode Island

  • Brings together Commerce, DBR, academia, finance, and securities experts
  • A well-researched approach could make RI a blockchain and fintech hub
  • Commission can study tax treatment that enables compliance without burdening businesses
  • Similar to Colorado SB18-086 (2018) and Mississippi HB1214 (2024)
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H.7413 ↗ In Committee

Rhode Island Economic Growth Blockchain Act

📅 2026 Session 📁 Builds on 2025's H.5564

Establishes a regulatory sandbox and public-private partnerships to encourage blockchain innovation. Allows blockchain and digital asset companies to test innovative financial products with temporary regulatory exemptions. Creates Special Purpose Depository Institutions (SPDIs) requiring 100% liquid reserves.

Benefits for Rhode Island

  • Public-private partnership could incentivize innovators to come to or stay in RI
  • Only Wyoming and Nebraska currently have SPDIs
  • Regulatory sandbox attracts fintech companies as the US regulatory environment turns favorable
  • Similar to Wyoming HB74 (2019) and Nebraska LB648 (2021)
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H.7957 + S.2196 ↗ In Committee

Protecting Citizens' Private Keys

📅 2026 Session 📁 Builds on 2025's H.5868/S.0375

Prohibits compelling individuals to disclose their private cryptographic keys in legal proceedings related to digital assets or identities. Allows compelled disclosure only if a public key is unavailable or insufficient to access necessary information.

Benefits for Rhode Island

  • Aligns with existing legal protections for sensitive information and property rights
  • Opportunity for statewide education on private key safety
  • Similar to Wyoming HB0086 (passed 2023)
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S.2021 ↗ In Committee

Reducing Friction for Digital Asset Payments

📅 Introduced: January 2026 👤 Sponsor: Sen. Peter A. Appollonio 💰 Cap: $5,000/month, $20,000/year

Establishes a simplified exemption from state income tax for small-scale Bitcoin transactions up to $5,000 per month or $20,000 per taxable year. Designed to reduce friction for everyday Bitcoin payments and encourage small business adoption.

Benefits for Rhode Island

  • Rhode Island could be the first state with a de minimis tax exemption for Bitcoin
  • Small businesses could accept bitcoin for products and services, stimulating economic growth
  • Residents participate in the development of modern payments infrastructure
  • Builds on 2025's S.0451 with expanded thresholds
Read Bill →

2025 Session — Historical Context

Previous session bills that laid the groundwork for the 2026 agenda

H.5810 + S.0373 Engrossed (50%)

Studying Blockchain's Potential — Legislative Commission

Furthest-advancing bill of the 2025 session. Reintroduced in 2026 as H.7956 + S.2198.

H.5564 Died in Committee

Rhode Island Economic Growth Blockchain Act

Regulatory sandbox and SPDIs. Reintroduced in 2026 as H.7413.

H.5868 + S.0375 Died in Committee

Protecting Citizens' Private Keys

Private key protection. Reintroduced in 2026 as H.7957 + S.2196.

S.0451 Died in Chamber

Reducing Friction for Digital Asset Payments

De minimis tax exemption for small Bitcoin transactions. Reintroduced in 2026 as S.2021 with expanded thresholds.

How Other States Are Leading

See how Rhode Island compares on Bitcoin and digital asset policy

Wyoming

Established

SPDIs, comprehensive digital asset framework

Study Commission
Tax Exemption
Consumer Protection

Colorado

Leading

Early blockchain study commission (SB18-086, 2018)

Study Commission
Tax Exemption
Consumer Protection

New Hampshire

Leading

First state Strategic Bitcoin Reserve law (HB 302)

Study Commission
Tax Exemption
Consumer Protection

Nebraska

Active

Financial Innovation Act SPDIs (LB648)

Study Commission
Tax Exemption
Consumer Protection

Rhode Island

Emerging

5 active bills in the 2026 session

Study Commission Proposed
Tax Exemption Proposed
Consumer Protection Enacted

Enacted Laws

S.0016A / H.5121A ↗ Enacted June 2025

Crypto-ATM Consumer Protection Act

📅 Signed: June 2025 👤 Sponsors: Victoria Gu, Julie Casimiro

Establishes comprehensive consumer protections for cryptocurrency ATM operators in Rhode Island, requiring licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and mandatory consumer education. Includes fraud victim refund eligibility and warning label requirements.

Impact for Rhode Island

  • First major crypto regulation enacted in RI
  • Protects consumers from fraud while enabling innovation
  • Creates framework for future digital asset regulation
  • Daily transaction limit of $1,000 and fee caps ($5 or 3%)
  • Positions RI as balanced, consumer-friendly regulator
Read Bill →

Resources

External tools and references for tracking blockchain policy

RI General Assembly

Official legislative website and bill texts

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Bitcoin Policy Institute

Research, analysis, and policy recommendations

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