Senator Niraj Antani, making waves again, dropped new legislation today in Ohio. This one? All about bringing crypto payments for state and local taxes back from the dead. Antani’s proposal, if it hits the bullseye, will push every Ohio political subdivision to accept Bitcoin and other cryptos, although the exact list of digital assets remains to be sorted out. But yeah, Bitcoin’s pretty much a lock.
“Cryptocurrency ain’t just tomorrow, it’s today,” Antani said, staking Ohio’s place on the cutting edge of finance. This bill? It’s aiming for crypto normalization in the Buckeye State, and it’s shaking the old system.
Reviving an Old Dream with a New Plan
Now, let’s rewind to 2018 for a minute. Ohio took a shot at accepting Bitcoin for taxes back then, under the eye of former State Treasurer Josh Mandel. Seemed like the first big step for the state to ride the crypto wave. But it got shut down quick when the State Board of Deposits just… didn’t act. The legal red tape strangled the project before it could spread its wings.
Antani? He’s not playing that game. His new bill dodges the bureaucratic hoops by simply requiring Ohio to accept crypto for taxes. No more waiting around for approvals that never come.
Ohioans can look to Mandel’s early adoption with a sense of “what could’ve been.” But Antani’s betting that 2024 is Ohio’s year for crypto’s comeback.
Expanding to Universities and Pension Funds
This bill doesn’t stop at tax payments. Antani also wants to give Ohio’s state universities and pension funds the green light to dive into the crypto world. Now, that’s a big move. State-run institutions might soon be adding digital assets to their portfolios. The legislation, if passed, could legitimize crypto in ways few expected.
Colorado’s already accepting Bitcoin for taxes since last year, and other states are watching closely. But Ohio’s latest move could set a new bar, bringing Bitcoin into everyday transactions. Utah, Florida—they’ve all been sniffing around the idea of crypto payments too, but Ohio might leapfrog them all.
Antani’s not just playing with ideas here. He’s rolling the dice, and Ohio might just hit the jackpot.
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