Gov. Walz Indicators Bitcoin Custody Invoice, Letting Minnesota Banks Maintain Crypto Aug. 1

State-Chartered Banks in Minnesota Will Be In a position to Custody Bitcoin Below New Legislation

The laws, now Chapter 93 of the 2026 Session Legal guidelines, takes impact Aug. 1, 2026. It applies solely to companies supplied on or after that date.

Below the brand new regulation, qualifying establishments could present virtual-currency custody companies, which cowl safekeeping, controlling, or administering digital property in a fiduciary, custodial, or non-fiduciary capability. The regulation doesn’t allow banks to commerce, make investments, or lend these property.

Rep. Bernie Perryman (R-St. Augusta) sponsored the Home model. He stated the invoice ensures Minnesota-based monetary establishments are in a position to evolve alongside their prospects quite than forcing Minnesotans to depend on out-of-state or offshore suppliers.

Establishments opting in should present 60 days’ written discover to the Minnesota Division of Commerce earlier than launching companies. They need to additionally keep written insurance policies protecting danger administration, inner controls, cybersecurity, enterprise continuity, and regulatory compliance.

Buyer property should be held individually from an establishment’s personal holdings. Banks and credit score unions could use certified third-party service suppliers however retain full compliance duty. The Division of Commerce can prohibit or prohibit the exercise if it determines the service is unsafe or unsound.

Native establishments cited direct member demand as a driver. St. Cloud Monetary Credit score Union reported that roughly 20% of its members already maintain digital foreign money however lack trusted native custody choices, typically turning to unregulated or out-of-state platforms.

The Minnesota Credit score Union Community and the Division of Commerce supported the invoice, pointing to shopper safety, aggressive positioning, and alignment with current federal steering allowing banks to supply custody companies.

The Home handed HF 3709 on April 30, 2026, by a 130-4 vote. The Senate handed an amended model on Could 6 by a 51-16 margin. The Home concurred with Senate amendments on Could 11 by a 119-6 vote earlier than the invoice went to the governor.

The custody regulation arrives alongside a separate measure signed Could 5, 2026, that bans virtual-currency kiosks statewide. That laws, SF 3868, targets crypto ATM fraud aimed toward seniors and requires operators to wind down current machines by Aug. 1.

Collectively, the 2 legal guidelines replicate a calculated method: regulated establishments achieve a brand new service line, whereas unregulated, high-risk channels face removing.

The custody authorization is opt-in. No establishment is required to supply the service. It doesn’t alter Minnesota’s cash transmission licensing framework or develop financial institution authority into broader crypto actions.

Minnesota joins a rising checklist of states carving out regulated crypto custody roles for neighborhood banks and credit score unions as digital asset possession spreads amongst retail customers.

The complete enacted textual content is obtainable on the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes web site below Session Legislation Chapter 93.