New Hampshire Passes a Law Shielding Crypto Self-Custody From the State

New Hampshire's governor has signed HB 639, known as the "Blockchain Fundamentals Act," into law — described by several outlets as one of the most sweeping crypto rights bills in the US. The bill was introduced in January 2025, passed the House by April 2025, went through Senate amendments, and was formally enrolled on July 1, 2026.

What the law actually protects

The law establishes the right of individuals to control their own digital assets through self-custody — holding them in their own wallet, without intermediaries. The state and local governments are barred from imposing additional taxes solely for using digital assets, or from restricting their use for payments and self-custody in personal wallets.

Miners and node operators are exempt from licensing

A separate provision important for the industry: the law explicitly states that individuals and businesses operating blockchain nodes, mining, or staking are not required to obtain a money-transmitter license. It also clarifies that these activities do not constitute the issuance or sale of securities under state law.

A dedicated court for blockchain disputes

The law also creates a specialized dispute docket for cases involving blockchain technology and digital assets — intended, according to its authors, to make rulings on such disputes more consistent and predictable than in general courts, where judges may lack relevant technical expertise.

What this means in practice

New Hampshire already stood out for its crypto-friendly stance — the state created its own bitcoin reserve even before this law. HB 639 goes further: it turns that favorable stance from political rhetoric into concrete legal guarantees for everyday crypto holders, miners, and node operators — making the state noticeably more attractive for related business against the backdrop of murkier regulation in most other US states.

This material is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.