US State-Level Bill Watch: HB639 Locks In Self-Custody and Mining Rights, Cutting Counterparty Risk for NH-Based Flows

New Hampshire lawmakers have advanced a bill that would make the state one of the most protective jurisdictions in the country for cryptocurrency users. House Bill 639, dubbed the “Blockchain Basic Laws,” would bar state and local governments from restricting digital asset payments, self-custody wallets, and home mining operations, according to Crypto Briefing. The legislation was officially enrolled on July 1, 2026, and now awaits action from the governor.

The bill is primarily sponsored by Rep. Keith Ammon, a Republican, along with several GOP co-sponsors. Rather than offering symbolic support for digital assets, HB639 sets out specific legal protections that would reshape how New Hampshire treats blockchain activity, Crypto Briefing reports.

What the bill actually protects

HB639 creates a new section of state law, RSA chapter 359-V, dedicated entirely to blockchain operations. According to the report, the legislation does three main things.

First, it protects residents’ right to use digital assets for legitimate purchases, preventing state and local governments from blocking or restricting crypto payments. Second, it enshrines the legality of self-custody, meaning individuals who hold their own keys — whether through hardware or software wallets — cannot be targeted simply for doing so.

Third, the bill exempts home miners and mining businesses from money-transmitter licensing requirements tied to their mining activities. Crypto Briefing notes this removes a significant regulatory barrier for smaller-scale mining operations in the state.

The legislation also establishes a dedicated blockchain dispute docket within New Hampshire’s superior court system, allowing consenting parties in blockchain-related disputes to opt into a specialized legal track. HB639 further defines key terms such as digital assets, wallets, nodes, and mining, aiming to give both users and operators clearer legal footing.

A long legislative road and political backdrop

The bill was first introduced in January 2025, passed the House by April 2025, went through Senate amendments, and was formally enrolled on July 1, 2026, according to Crypto Briefing. It now needs the governor’s signature to become law.

One notable clause bars the creation of any special tax targeting digital asset payments specifically, meaning New Hampshire could not introduce a crypto-only transaction tax under the bill. Environmental advocacy groups have pushed back against the mining-related provisions, arguing that shielding mining operations from regulatory oversight could carry environmental consequences, the report states.

Why it matters for the broader crypto industry

For blockchain startups and mining operators, a state that explicitly protects node operation, home mining, crypto payments, and offers a specialized dispute-resolution track presents a compelling case for incorporation. Crypto Briefing draws a comparison to Wyoming, which attracted a disproportionate share of crypto businesses relative to its size after passing its own suite of crypto-friendly laws starting in 2018.

The money-transmitter exemption for miners could also encourage a more distributed mining landscape within the state by lowering the barrier to entry for small-scale operators, according to the report.

HB639 builds on New Hampshire’s existing pro-crypto posture. In 2025, the state became the first in the country to allow its treasurer to allocate up to 5{d19616a33d455f7215be86882b84de16bc0d6d703bafb84e8d0ba56683c22428} of public funds into prominent digital assets such as Bitcoin, Crypto Briefing notes. Whether HB639 becomes law now depends solely on the governor’s decision.

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