The Arkansas Senate recently voted against Senate Bill 60, which aimed to restrict cryptocurrency mining near military bases. The bill was rejected with a vote of 6-1, allowing mining operations to continue in these areas despite concerns about security.
If the bill had passed, it would have required unlicensed mining operations to shut down unless they had permits obtained before December 31, 2024. It also sought to stop new mining projects near military installations and would have given the Attorney General the power to investigate any violations.
Senators Ricky Hill and Brian S. Evans, who proposed the bill, recognized the economic advantages of digital asset mining. However, they raised alarms about the potential risks, stating that crypto mining close to military bases could threaten national security. They argued that the proposed restrictions were necessary to protect the state’s safety.
Despite these concerns, the Senate chose to reject the bill, allowing mining businesses to operate without new regulations. This decision is in line with Arkansas’ 2023 “Right to Mine” law, which supports commercial crypto mining in the state. However, this law has faced criticism due to worries about its environmental effects and high energy use.
In contrast, North Dakota is taking a different approach. Representative Nathan Toman has introduced a bill to safeguard the rights of crypto users and miners. This bill includes protections for self-custody, peer-to-peer transactions, and the operation of Bitcoin nodes.
Dennis Porter, CEO of the Satoshi Action Fund, confirmed the introduction of this bill, highlighting its importance in ensuring legal protections for crypto activities. He stressed that it will maintain essential freedoms for digital asset users.
These developments show the ongoing debate over cryptocurrency regulations. As digital assets gain more attention in national policy discussions, the stance of different states reflects the growing influence of cryptocurrencies on both state and national levels.
