tl;dr
The California State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 1180 (AB 1180) unanimously, allowing state agencies to accept cryptocurrency payments if signed into law. The bill requires the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to develop rules under the Digital Financial Assets Law for crypto tran...
The California State Assembly has unanimously passed Assembly Bill 1180 (AB 1180), which, if signed into law, will allow state agencies to accept cryptocurrency payments. The bill requires the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to establish rules under the Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL) to facilitate crypto transactions within state fees and payments.
Following the 68-0 vote on June 2, the bill now moves to the Senate and subsequently requires gubernatorial approval. If enacted, AB 1180 could take effect as early as July 1, 2026, with a pilot program extending until January 1, 2031 before full implementation.
This legislation positions California among states such as Florida, Colorado, and Louisiana that already accept cryptocurrency for certain government obligations. AB 1180 complements AB 1052, the “Bitcoin rights” bill, which protects crypto self-custody rights and ensures digital financial assets are recognized as legal payment forms in private transactions, free from public entity restrictions or taxation.
Currently, 117 merchants in California accept Bitcoin payments, reflecting growing adoption within the state. The move towards embracing crypto payments by government agencies marks a significant step in mainstreaming digital assets amid increasing national attention on cryptocurrencies and supportive signals from figures such as former President Donald Trump.