Republican Senator Dusty Deevers from Oklahoma has introduced legislation that would allow employees and residents of the state to receive their salaries in Bitcoin (BTC), and enable businesses to accept Bitcoin payments. Dubbed the “Bitcoin Freedom Act,” Senate Bill 325 aims to provide a voluntary framework for Bitcoin adoption, giving employees, employers, and businesses the freedom to choose payment options.
Senator Deevers, who filed the bill on January 8, explained that Bitcoin offers a way to protect earnings and investments from inflation, which has been eroding the purchasing power of many Oklahomans. “As Bitcoin continues to rise and the value of the dollar continues to be printed away in Washington D.C., Oklahoma must act to protect our people,” Deevers said.
The bill emphasizes voluntary participation, respecting free-market principles while empowering individuals and businesses to choose Bitcoin as a medium for transactions, salaries, and investments. One of the goals of the legislation is to establish a secure framework for Bitcoin usage in the state, making it an officially accepted medium for transactions, including salaries and investments.
Senator Deevers also voiced his support for President-elect Trump’s pro-Bitcoin stance, stating, “Bitcoin has arrived into the mainstream of our economy and is unquestionably a significant part of the financial future.” He believes this legislation will position Oklahoma as a leader in embracing financial technology, offering citizens more financial options.
The Bitcoin Freedom Act will be up for consideration during the 60th legislative session, which begins on February 3. Deevers, who has expressed concerns over rising inflation, emphasized that one of his key campaign promises was to fight for the financial well-being of Oklahomans and reduce the impact of inflation. “If Washington D.C. can ruin something, it likely will. And it is certainly ruining the US Dollar,” he tweeted on January 8.
In contrast to the proposed Bitcoin legislation, Deevers has been critical of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which he believes enable government surveillance and overreach. He argues that CBDCs give central authorities the power to track and control transactions, undermining individual financial privacy and freedom. Deevers is an advocate for Bitcoin, praising its decentralized and censorship-resistant nature, which allows individuals to retain full control over their finances without government interference or inflationary pressures.
Oklahoma’s move toward Bitcoin adoption comes after Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law in May 2024, creating a legal framework for blockchain companies and protecting crypto mining activities. This law, which took effect in November, is designed to support Bitcoin miners in the state.
As inflation continues to impact the U.S. economy, with a current rate of 2.7% according to Trading Economics, Oklahoma’s push to integrate Bitcoin into the financial landscape offers an alternative to traditional inflationary pressures.
January 2025, Cryptoniteuae
