Ohio Approves Cryptocurrency Payments for State Fees and Services

Ohio’s Depository Board approved a vendor contract for cryptocurrency payments, with Secretary of State Frank LaRose stating it positions the state as a leader in the digital economy.

BTC

Summary

On September 25, 2025, Ohio’s State Depository Board unanimously approved a vendor contract enabling the use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin for state fees and services. The move, requested in April by Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Auditor Robert Sprague, was described by LaRose as a bold step placing Ohio at the forefront of the digital economy. This initiative complements broader legislative efforts to integrate digital assets into the state’s financial framework, including proposals for a state Bitcoin reserve.

Terms & Concepts
  • Cryptocurrency Payments: The use of digital currencies like Bitcoin to settle transactions for goods, services, or fees instead of traditional fiat money.
  • Bitcoin: The first and largest cryptocurrency, created in 2009, that enables peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries.
  • Bitcoin Reserve Proposal: A legislative concept where a government or institution allocates and maintains holdings of Bitcoin as part of its financial reserves.