California Assembly Unanimously Passes Crypto Payments Bill AB 1180

California's assembly unanimously passed the crypto payments bill AB 1180 by a vote of 68-0. This legislation enables the state government to accept cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, for specific obligations. If approved by the state senate, a trial program will run from 2026 to 2031 before full implementation.

Key Points

  • California is the 4th-largest economy globally with a nominal GDP of $4.1 trillion.
  • The state's economic growth rate is 6% year-over-year, averaging 7.5% from 2021 to 2024.
  • Another bill, AB 1052, allows private payments in crypto and supports a regulatory framework for self-custody.
  • AB 1180 and AB 1052 signify California's strong commitment to cryptocurrency adoption.
  • Over 100 businesses in California already accept Bitcoin payments.

This legislative move positions California as a leader in the crypto space, enhancing its role in the evolving digital economy.