Catenaa, Sunday, June 29, 2025-The Ohio House of Representatives approved House Bill 116, known as the Blockchain Basics Act, in a 68-26 vote last Wednesday, advancing legislation that exempts up to $200 in capital gains from digital asset taxes and safeguards the use of self-hosted wallets and crypto mining activities. The bill now heads to the state Senate.
If enacted, the law would bar state and local governments from restricting digital asset payments or interfering with hardware wallets.
It also protects individuals and businesses involved in mining, staking, exchanging, or operating blockchain nodes.
The bill allows residential crypto mining under local rules and permits industrial mining operations in designated zones. It restricts local authorities from imposing discriminatory zoning changes without notice and an appeals process.
Sponsored by Rep. Steve Demetriou, the measure was introduced in February and passed the House Technology and Innovation Committee before winning full House approval. Demetriou said the bill reflects Ohio’s commitment to embracing blockchain innovation and digital assets.
The House vote comes a day after the US Senate approved the GENIUS Act, a federal bill regulating stablecoins, highlighting growing momentum for crypto legislation nationwide. Ohio’s move follows similar laws in Kentucky and contributes to a growing patchwork of state-level digital asset policies.
Advocacy groups including the Satoshi Action Fund praised the bill as a commonsense reform and a sign that Ohio aims to become a national leader in blockchain regulation.
