Oklahoma Senator Introduces Bill to Allow Bitcoin (BTC) Payments and Salaries

Oklahoma Senator Dusty Deevers has introduced a bill that would allow employees and businesses in the state to choose Bitcoin (BTC) for payments and salaries.

Deevers filed the legislation on January 8, highlighting Bitcoin’s potential to protect Oklahomans’ earnings from inflation. “Bitcoin offers a unique opportunity to safeguard investments when the dollar is losing value,” Deevers said in a statement.

The bill, designated as SB325, aims to uphold free-market principles by ensuring that participation in the Bitcoin payment system is voluntary. It grants individuals, businesses, and employers the freedom to opt for BTC as a medium of exchange.

Moreover, the act seeks to establish a secure framework for Bitcoin transactions within Oklahoma, facilitating its use in salaries, investments, and other transactions.

Deevers has been a vocal critic of inflation and the declining value of the US Dollar, which he attributes to policies implemented by Washington. In addition to promoting Bitcoin, he has also expressed his opposition to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

“Bitcoin gives people financial sovereignty,” Deevers said. “It protects their ability to earn a living, and it ensures that government can’t print away the value of their work.”

This latest development follows Oklahoma's recent efforts to advance cryptocurrency integration. In May 2024, Governor Kevin Stitt signed a law to support blockchain and Bitcoin mining businesses in the state.

The Bitcoin Freedom Act, set to be discussed during Oklahoma's legislative session commencing February 3, 2025, positions the state as a forerunner in embracing financial technology.

Oklahoma's progressive stance on Bitcoin could introduce new financial avenues and drive innovation within the state's economy.