In a move that could reshape public fund management, North Carolina lawmakers have introduced twin bills proposing the integration of cryptocurrency into state pension funds. House Bill 506 and Senate Bill 709 both outline the creation of an independent Investment Authority, tasked with managing a diversified portfolio—including digital assets.

If passed, up to 5% of state pension funds could be allocated into cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, stablecoins, and even NFTs. The Authority would be responsible for securing custody, assessing risk profiles, and ensuring investments are responsibly managed under the oversight of the State Treasurer.

This isn’t North Carolina’s first dance with digital finance. Prior proposals like House Bill 92 and Senate Bill 327 aimed to let the State Treasurer directly invest in Bitcoin. Now, momentum is growing across U.S. states to treat crypto not as a fringe asset—but as a serious contender in institutional portfolios.

As digital assets steadily seep into mainstream finance, questions emerge: Is this a visionary step toward modernization—or a risky bet with taxpayer-backed funds?

For long-term crypto believers, this could signal growing institutional trust and potential upside. But for cautious investors, the volatility of digital markets still looms large.

One thing’s clear: crypto is no longer on the sidelines.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice