Republican state senator Dusty Deevers has introduced the Bitcoin Freedom Act, a bill that would allow Oklahoma employees and residents to receive salaries in Bitcoin (BTC) and enable businesses to accept BTC payments.
The legislation, filed on 8 January 2025, aims to empower Oklahomans to adopt Bitcoin as a means to preserve financial stability amid rising inflation.
“In a time when inflation is eroding the purchasing power of hard-working Oklahomans, Bitcoin provides a unique opportunity to protect earnings and investments,” said Deevers. “Oklahoma must act to protect our people.”
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Bitcoin Freedom Act Allows Voluntary Participation
The proposed bill, labeled SB325, emphasizes voluntary participation, allowing employees, employers, and businesses to decide whether to adopt Bitcoin.
According to the bill, one of its objectives is to establish a secure framework for using Bitcoin in state transactions, private businesses, and individual investments. Another is to officially authorize Bitcoin as a medium for salaries and transactions.
Deevers praised President-elect Donald Trump’s pro-Bitcoin stance, noting that Bitcoin has become mainstream and is vital to the financial future. “This legislation positions Oklahoma as a national leader while giving our citizens greater financial freedom,” he stated.
The Bitcoin Freedom Act will be up for debate during Oklahoma’s 60th legislative session, which begins on 3 February 2025.
If Washington D.C. can ruin something, it likely will. And it is certainly ruining the US Dollar.
Inflation caused by reckless spending and money printing is eroding the purchasing power of Oklahomans. It is past time to start looking at options less vulnerable to D.C.… pic.twitter.com/PrMGWdi7fe
— Dusty Deevers (@DustyDeevers) January 8, 2025
Deevers has been vocal about inflation concerns and Washington’s fiscal policies. “If Washington DC can ruin something, it likely will. And it is certainly ruining the US dollar,” he said on social media.
As part of his campaign promises, Deevers committed to addressing the financial struggles caused by inflation and providing innovative solutions for his constituents.
The senator, also a pastor, criticized central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), calling them tools for government overreach and surveillance. “CBDCs enable authorities to track, control, and restrict transactions, undermining financial privacy,” he warned.
In contrast, Deevers praised Bitcoin for its decentralized and censorship-resistant design, which he argued promotes financial sovereignty and independence from inflationary manipulation.
Inflation in the US, which surged to a four-decade high of over 9% during the pandemic, has been rising again since late 2024, currently standing at 2.7%, according to Trading Economics.
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Czech Explores Bitcoin As Potential Reserve Asset
Notably, there has been a growing momentum in Bitcoin adoption, as smaller nations like El Salvador and Bhutan continue to use Bitcoin reserves as part of their economic strategies.
Recently, the governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB), Aleš Michl, expressed interest in Bitcoin as a potential diversification option for the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Adding to this trend, several US states are considering adding Bitcoin to their treasury reserves. Recently, Ohio became the latest state to do so.
Furthermore, Wu Jiexhuang, a member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, proposed incorporating Bitcoin into Hong Kong’s national reserves for financial stability.
In Europe, Germany’s Free Democratic Party (FDP) has also expressed openness to adopting Bitcoin as a reserve asset. The FDP’s platform for the 2025 elections advocates for distributed ledger technology and considers Bitcoin to enhance the resilience of Europe’s monetary system.
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The post Oklahoma Senator Proposes Bill To Allow Salaries And Payments In Bitcoin appeared first on 99Bitcoins.