Montana Blockchain Wins And The Path Forward

Tanner Avery

Director of The Center for New Frontiers

Tanner Avery
/ Center For New Frontiers
by Tanner Avery
April 23, 2025

Montana Blockchain Wins And The Path Forward

"As the national conversation around emerging technologies continues to evolve, Montana is staking its claim as the national leader in freedom-driven tech policy."

At the Capitol:

It’s been a whirlwind few months at the Montana Legislative Session in Helena. With just weeks to go and all bill introduction deadlines behind us, no new legislation will be introduced. Now, the focus has shifted to sorting through the remaining proposals. Here’s where things currently stand for the blockchain-related bills still in play:

SB 212 – Creating the Right to Compute Act
Status: Passed the Legislature. Signed into law by the Governor.
What it does: Establishes First Amendment-level protections—known as Strict Scrutiny—for a wide range of digital tools and technologies, including “hardware, software, algorithms, sensors, networks, protocols, platforms, services, systems, cryptography, machine learning, or quantum applications,” and more.
Why it matters: This is the first law of its kind in the nation, and its implications are far-reaching. It sets a national benchmark for protecting the right to build, deploy, and use digital tools without undue government interference. For those innovating or using digital innovations, it establishes the gold standard of protection against government overreach.
SB 265 – Revise cryptocurrency laws to create Financial Freedom and Innovation Act
Status: Passed the Legislature. Headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed.
What it does: Protects self-custody, bans Central Bank Digital Currency, protects staking, and provides regulatory structure for Network Tokens.
Why it matters: While every part of this bill is a win for digital freedom, establishing a regulatory structure for network tokens is a massive deal—and a first in the nation. The bill provides long-overdue legal clarity by confirming that network tokens are not securities, while also creating a tailored regulatory framework for appropriate oversight. This balance gives developers the confidence to innovate in Montana without fear of regulatory whiplash, while still ensuring transparency and accountability where needed.
SB 330 – Create a Montana blockchain and digital innovation task force
Status: Passed the Legislature. Headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed.
What it does: Establishes a Montana Task Force on Blockchain and Digital Innovation to promote adoption, develop incentives, build partnerships, and recommend clear state-level regulations.
Why it matters: This is our pathway to guiding the conversation on Blockchain technology in Montana. It is clear that many Montanans don’t understand this technology– this is our chance to take control of the narrative.

At the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance’s Office:

Montana Securities Commissioner James Brown has taken a proactive step in shaping the state’s blockchain policy landscape. Earlier this month, he convened the first in a series of stakeholder roundtables focused on how to appropriately classify and regulate blockchain-based assets—particularly addressing the ongoing debate over whether certain digital tokens should be treated as securities or commodities. These discussions mark a shift toward Montana taking a leadership role in providing regulatory clarity for blockchain assets.

Importantly, Montana’s approach to blockchain regulation isn’t happening in a vacuum. Those interested in helping shape this conversation are encouraged to contact the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to express their interest in participating in future discussions.

Montana is rapidly emerging as a destination for digital innovation. Across the board, from the Legislature to the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance’s Office, state leaders are taking bold, forward-thinking steps to position the Treasure State at the forefront of the digital economy. Whether it’s landmark legislation like the Right to Compute Act, first-in-the-nation regulatory clarity for network tokens, or the creation of a state task force on blockchain and digital innovation, Montana is sending a clear message: innovators are welcome here. As the national conversation around emerging technologies continues to evolve, Montana is staking its claim as the national leader in freedom-driven tech policy.

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