New Hampshire passes HB 639 to protect self-custody and node operation
The bill affirms the use of self-custody and third-party wallets for digital assets, shields node operators, miners and stakers from money transmitter licensing, and creates a dedicated blockchain disputes court.
Fact Check
The official NH General Court bill status page confirms HB639-FN is PASSED and enrolled after the conference report was adopted by both chambers on 6/4/2026. The specific provisions described in the claim — affirming self-custody and third-party wallets, shielding node operators, miners and stakers from money transmitter licensing, and creating a blockchain disputes court/docket — are corroborated by CryptoBriefing and Bloomingbit summaries of the bill. An earlier interim-study recommendation appeared in trackers, but LegiScan and official records confirm that motion failed and the bill proceeded to passage. The only minor caveat is precise wording ('protect' vs enacted-into-law status) since it was enrolled and awaiting the governor's action rather than fully signed, but the core factual claim about passage and content is well-supported.
Summary
New Hampshire lawmakers passed HB 639, a measure that protects the right of individuals and businesses to use self-custody or third-party wallets to hold and pay with digital assets. The bill also bars extra taxes or restrictions based solely on the method of payment, exempts node operation, personal mining and staking of owned assets from money transmitter licensing, and creates a dedicated court for blockchain-related disputes.
Terms & Concepts
- self-custody: Holding digital assets in a wallet controlled directly by the owner rather than an intermediary.
- staking: Using owned digital assets in a network process that can generate rewards.
- node operation: Running network software that helps maintain and verify blockchain activity.