What’s Going On With Crypto Legislation in Pennsylvania?

Written By Shekinah Apedo

Cryptocurrency and blockchain aren’t just buzzwords anymore — they’re becoming part of Pennsylvania’s economy, energy sector, and political conversation. If you’ve been wondering what your state lawmakers are actually doing, here’s the current landscape and how you can get involved.

🚨 1. PA Just Passed a Major Crypto Law — and Most People Missed It

In 2025, Pennsylvania passed Act 7, a law that requires companies that transmit cryptocurrency (like custodial wallets, exchanges, or payment processors) to get a state license — just like money transmitters.

What this means for you:

  • Regular people using crypto wallets are not affected.

  • Crypto companies operating in PA will now need to follow licensing rules.

  • It gives the state oversight over crypto businesses the same way it oversees Western Union or PayPal.

This is Pennsylvania’s first major step toward regulating digital assets in a structured way.

⚖️ 2. The Big Debate: “Regulation vs. Innovation”

Several lawmakers — on both sides of the aisle — have started saying the quiet part out loud:
Pennsylvania risks falling behind other states if it doesn’t modernize its approach to blockchain and crypto.

Representative Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) has been one of the loudest voices. He wrote an editorial arguing that:

  • More than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians use or own digital assets.

  • The state needs clear rules so people and businesses aren’t left in limbo.

  • Pennsylvania should openly support blockchain innovation instead of ignoring it.

He’s been pushing for a “Blockchain Basics Act” — a bill that would:

  • Let businesses accept crypto without burdensome licensing

  • Protect consumer rights

  • Encourage blockchain startups to build in PA

While the full bill hasn’t passed yet, the fact that it reached committee shows momentum.

🪙 3. A Bitcoin Reserve in Pennsylvania?!

Yes, that’s actually real.

Representative Mike Cabell introduced a bill that would allow the PA State Treasury to hold Bitcoin — similar to how some states hold gold or silver.

This would:

  • Treat Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset

  • Potentially allow the Treasury to invest in Bitcoin-backed exchange-traded products

  • Position Pennsylvania alongside other states exploring state-level digital asset reserves

It’s still early, but it signals serious interest in digital assets at the state-finance level.

🏛 4. Lawmakers Are Also Debating Ethics & Transparency

Representative Ben Waxman introduced HB 1812, a bill that would:

  • Require elected officials to disclose crypto holdings over $1,000

  • Ban officials (and their families) from trading crypto while in office

  • Add penalties for unethical crypto-related behavior

This bill isn’t anti-crypto — it’s about public trust.
Crypto is becoming influential enough that PA is trying to prevent conflicts of interest before they happen.

⚙️ 5. What Pennsylvania Isn’t Doing Yet

There’s still no clear statewide approach to:

  • Crypto mining

  • Blockchain-focused data centers

  • DePIN (decentralized physical infrastructure networks)

  • Tokenized energy markets

  • Blockchain education and workforce strategy

Local governments (counties, townships, zoning boards) are handling things case-by-case.
This creates uncertainty for anyone trying to build crypto-related businesses or infrastructure in Pennsylvania.

This is exactly why residents speaking up matters.

🗣️ How Pennsylvania Residents Can Advocate for Better Crypto Policy

If you want PA to be a leader in blockchain, mining, digital assets, or decentralized infrastructure, here’s what you can do:

✉️ 1. Contact Your State Rep and Senator

Most lawmakers only hear from constituents when something goes wrong. A simple message like:

“I’m a constituent and I’d like Pennsylvania to support innovation in blockchain, digital assets, and decentralized infrastructure. What work is your office doing in this area?”

will put you on their radar.

🏛 2. Ask For a Hearing or Study Committee

States like Texas, Ohio, and North Carolina already have blockchain study groups.

PA should too.

You can request:

  • A Joint Committee Study on Blockchain and Digital Assets

  • A public hearing on mining, workforce, or data-center policies

  • Oversight hearings on how Act 7 is being implemented

Lawmakers often act because residents ask for it.

📢 3. Show Up to Public Meetings or Submit Comments

Committee hearings, town halls, and legislative listening sessions all accept comments.
Even one well-written message can influence how a bill gets shaped.

🌐 4. Get Involved Locally

Because Pennsylvania hasn’t passed statewide rules on mining, DePIN, node networks, or data centers, local governments hold a lot of power right now.

Talk to:

  • county commissioners

  • zoning boards

  • economic development officers

Local support often determines whether projects happen.

🧰 5. Join or Support Crypto-Friendly Advocacy Organizations

Groups focused on digital-asset education and policy help amplify your voice — and Pennsylvania lawmakers do pay attention to organized constituents.

🧭 Final Takeaway

Pennsylvania isn’t a crypto-hostile state — but it’s also not fully a crypto-innovation state yet.

Right now, it’s somewhere in the middle:

  • It passed its first big licensing law (Act 7) ✔️

  • It has lawmakers pushing for more innovation (Ecker, Cabell) ✔️

  • It’s debating ethics and transparency (HB 1812) ✔️

  • But it lacks a coordinated statewide blockchain strategy ❗

  • And mining/data-center/DePIN policy is still undefined ❗

The good news is: Pennsylvania residents have a real chance to shape what comes next.

Shekinah Apedo
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