MontanaSB 26569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise cryptocurrency laws to create Financial Freedom and Innovation Act

Sponsored By: Daniel Zolnikov (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Trade Regulations and CompetitionTaxation

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Crypto use and self-custody protected

Montana governments may not stop you or your business from accepting digital assets for lawful goods and services. They also may not restrict you from using a self‑hosted or hardware wallet to hold crypto. You and your business may run blockchain nodes, build blockchain software, send digital assets, and take part in staking. The law confirms these activities are allowed under state law.

Staking services not a security

Offering staking as a service is not, by itself, a security under Montana law. Providers must still avoid fraud and deception. The securities commissioner can act against anyone who falsely claims to offer staking services.

No central bank digital currency payments

Montana state and local governments may not accept or require payment using a central bank digital currency. They also may not join CBDC testing run by the Federal Reserve or any federal agency. This ban applies to governing authorities in Montana.

Rules for foreign token issuers

A foreign company that already issued network tokens can use Montana’s exemption after it registers with the Secretary of State and meets the Act’s rules. It must provide governing documents, prove it is not under investigation and has no securities‑fraud conviction, and give other information the commissioner requests. It also must complete the certification and approval steps before offering or selling tokens in Montana.

Token sales: rules and $250M cap

To sell network tokens under Montana’s exemption, an issuer must apply and get written approval, pay a filing fee, and provide detailed disclosures. Issuers must update the filings every 6 months or within 30 days after a material change. Total token sales to all investors are capped at $250 million in any 12 months, with annual inflation adjustments. Programmatic distributions for services or direct use do not count toward the cap. The commissioner may change these limits by rule when needed for investor protection.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Daniel Zolnikov
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Bob Carter
Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 230 • No: 68

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 70 • No: 29

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 71 • No: 29

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 44 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/3/2025