Catenaa, Saturday, March 07, 2026-Mike Braun signed House Bill 1042 into law Wednesday, permitting certain Indiana public retirement and savings plans to offer cryptocurrency investment options.
The measure, introduced by state Rep. Kyle Pierce, cleared both chambers of the legislature on February 25 and was signed March 3, according to the governor’s office.
The law requires several state-managed programs to include a self-directed brokerage option with at least one crypto investment product.
Affected plans include the legislators’ defined contribution plan, the Hoosier START education savings program and select public employee and teacher retirement accounts.
Plan administrators must make crypto-linked investments available by July 1, 2027.
The law also bars state and local governments from imposing special taxes or fees on the use of cryptocurrency as payment for lawful goods and services.
It protects individuals who hold digital assets in self-hosted wallets from additional local restrictions.
The move follows broader efforts nationwide to integrate digital assets into traditional financial systems.
At the federal level, President Donald Trump signed an executive order last August allowing 401(k) retirement plans to include crypto investments.
Indiana lawmakers are considering a separate digital asset bill. House Bill 1116, which passed the legislature last week, would ban the operation of virtual currency kiosks, often referred to as crypto ATMs, statewide. The measure awaits the governor’s decision.
