Oklahoma Eyes Bitcoin for Government Payroll and Vendor Payments
Oklahoma could become the next state to put its money where its mouth is on crypto adoption.
The Heartland's Digital Dollar Experiment
State legislators are drafting a bill that would allow government employees to receive a portion of their salaries in Bitcoin. The same framework would extend to payments for state contractors and vendors, creating a potential pipeline for BTC to flow directly into the local economy.
Bypassing Traditional Banking Rails
The move cuts out multiple financial intermediaries, proposing a direct settlement layer between the state treasury and recipients' digital wallets. Proponents argue it modernizes the payroll system, offers optionality for the crypto-native workforce, and positions Oklahoma as a forward-looking hub for digital asset innovation.
The Regulatory Tightrope
Implementing such a system walks a fine line. It requires navigating price volatility concerns, crafting ironclad custody solutions for state-held assets, and establishing clear tax treatment—all while ensuring no one is forced into a payment method they don't understand. Critics, of course, see it as a solution in search of a problem, or just political theater for the crypto vote.
If passed, Oklahoma wouldn't be the first but would signal a deepening trend of state-level financial experimentation, proving that blockchain policy isn't just a coastal obsession. It turns out that when you're tired of waiting for federal clarity, you just start building your own monetary future—volatility, regulatory headaches, and cynical Wall Street eye-rolls included.
Oklahoma releases new bill focused on BTC payments
According to Senate Bill 2064, it WOULD provide state employees in Oklahoma with the option to receive their salaries or wages in Bitcoin. The payment is expected to be based on the asset’s market value at the start of a pay period or at the time of payment. Employees would also be allowed to choose their payment preference at the beginning of every pay period, where they could choose to take their pay in Bitcoin, US dollars, or a combination of both.
Payments are also expected to be deposited in a self-hosted wallet under the control of the employee or a third-party custodial account of the employee’s choice. The legislation will also provide vendors in contract with the state an option to take their payment in Bitcoin on a per-transaction basis. The value of the Bitcoin payment would be determined by the price of the asset at the time of the transaction, unless otherwise stated in a written agreement.
Aside from payroll and procurement, the bill also allows private businesses and residents in Oklahoma to negotiate and receive payments in Bitcoin. This means that the bill enforces the use of the asset as a voluntary medium of exchange across the state. According to reports, SB 2064 includes several provisions, including ones aimed at limiting regulatory friction for Bitcoin native businesses. Firms dealing exclusively in crypto and do not exchange them would be exempted from Oklahoma’s money transmitter licensing requirements.
The new bill could take effect in November 2026
The bill also directs the Oklahoma State Treasurer to issue a request for proposals for a crypto firm that would be used to process Bitcoin payments for state employees and vendors. While selecting a provider, the Treasurer is expected to consider several factors, including fees, transaction speed, relevant state licenses, custody options, and cybersecurity practices. The Treasurer is expected to finalize all contracts with a provider by January 1, 2027.
In addition, the Treasurer is also expected to promote the rules for implementing the program. The current bill follows a previous one introduced by Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers in January 2025. It was called the Bitcoin Freedom Act (SB 325) and was designed to allow employees, vendors, and businesses choose if they want to receive and make payments in Bitcoin while creating a legal framework for the use of the asset in the state’s economy.
The MOVE follows States like New Hampshire and Texas in looking into several ways to integrate Bitcoin into public finance. New Hampshire passed the country’s first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve law, allowing the state to hold about 5% of its funds in high-cap digital assets. In addition, it also approved a Bitcoin-backed municipal bond. On the other hand, Texas created its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and made the first US state Bitcoin ETF purchase of around $5 million.
If passed, the new legislation would take effect in Oklahoma in November 2026, adding the state to a small list of US states looking into the direct integration of Bitcoin into government payment systems. The Oklahoma Tax Commission would also be tasked with issuing guidance on the tax treatment of digital assets received as payment starting from January 2027, addressing an area that has often created uncertainty for employees and employers.
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