Arizona governor vetoes bill for state-run digital assets reserve for third time

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed a proposed law establishing a state-run Bitcoin and digital assets reserve fund.

On July 1, Governor Hobbs informed House Speaker Steve Montenegro in a letter that she opposed House Bill 2324, which sought to establish a “Digital Assets Reserve Fund” funded by criminal asset forfeiture.

In her veto letter, Governor Hobbs explained that the bill could discourage local law enforcement from collaborating with the state on digital asset forfeitures. She furthered that the legislation would hinder law enforcement cooperation by removing seized assets from local jurisdictions.

Notably, the vetoed bill had a rocky legislative journey. It failed a final vote in the House in early May before being revived and eventually passing a Senate vote in late June.

However, despite the recent legislative support, Governor Hobbs declined to sign it into law, marking the third time she has vetoed a digital asset reserve bill this session.

Democrats’ cautious crypto approach

Governor Hobbs’ decision is consistent with her and the Democratic Party’s broader approach to crypto regulation.

While she has resisted attempts to position the state as a hub for digital assets, she has supported targeted measures aimed at oversight and consumer protection.

Earlier this year, she signed House Bill 2387, which imposes stricter regulations on crypto ATM operations in Arizona. She also approved a separate bill—House Bill 2749—that allowed the creation of a digital assets reserve fund under different conditions.

Her approach mirrors a broader trend among Democratic party members who have adopted a more conservative position on crypto.

For example, Connecticut recently passed legislation banning state agencies from investing in cryptocurrencies, a move unanimously supported by the state’s Democratic-majority legislature and signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont.

Nationally, high-profile Democrats like Senator Elizabeth Warren have continued to sound alarms over crypto’s risks.

During recent discussions surrounding the GENIUS Act, a new bill designed to impose safeguards on the stablecoin sector, Warren pointed out that the collapse of major crypto firms in 2022 was a near-miss financial disaster, as it resulted in a $2 trillion market drop.

The debate highlights growing partisan differences on crypto policy. Democrats call for tighter regulation, while Republicans, including President Donald Trump, push for more open engagement with the industry.

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