Maine's new virtual-currency unclaimed-property rules take effect July 29, but the State Treasurer's manual still shows a three-year dormancy period and gives no transition guidance for the first reporting cycle.
Maine's new unclaimed-property rules for virtual currency take effect July 29, setting a five-year dormancy period under Public Law Chapter 675, while the State Treasurer's current 2026 Holder Reporting Manual still lists a three-year period for “VC02 Virtual Currency – Liquidated.” The mismatch leaves businesses that hold customer crypto without published guidance on the transition, the first reporting cycle or how balances now classified differently should be treated. Under new section 2067-A of Maine's Revised Unclaimed Property Act, virtual currency is presumed abandoned five years after an owner's last indication of interest, or from the date first-class mail is returned as undeliverable if the holder sent it in the regular course of business. Holders with the keys, credentials or other information needed to transfer presumed-abandoned crypto must report it and deliver it in native form within 30 days before filing, following the administrator's directions, while holders lacking sufficient transfer information must retain the assets until transfer becomes possible. For virtual currency worth at least $1,000, certified U.S. mail notice is required at least 60 days before filing if the holder has a valid address. The statute also makes clear liquidation is not automatic: the administrator may direct liquidation, decline certain assets, exempt classes by rule or order another disposition. Once crypto is delivered into state custody, the administrator generally may not sell it for one year, and if a sale occurs within that period, a qualifying claimant may be entitled to the greater of sale proceeds or market value at the time of claim, plus applicable increments.