A bill introduced in the New York State Assembly would allow state agencies to accept Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payments, reflecting a potential shift in the state’s approach to digital transactions.

Assembly Bill A7788, sponsored by Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, seeks to amend financial law to permit payments in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies for “fines, civil penalties, rent, rates, taxes, fees, charges, revenue, financial obligations or other amounts,” as well as penalties, special assessments, and interest.

The bill includes a provision for service fees, allowing the state to charge “a service fee not exceeding costs incurred by the state in connection with the cryptocurrency payment transaction,” which may cover processing or third-party platform fees.

This is the second Bitcoin-focused measure introduced in New York in recent months. In March, Bill A06515 was proposed to establish criminal penalties for crypto-related fraud, including schemes such as rug pulls.

At the federal level, President Donald Trump’s administration has indicated plans to prioritize national Bitcoin and crypto policy and expand blockchain development since taking office on January 20th.

Assembly Bill A7788 is currently under review by the Assembly Committee and may move to the state Senate for further consideration.

Elsewhere, Illinois recently passed legislation aimed at combating fraud in the cryptocurrency sector, citing concerns over scams involving memecoins and insider abuse.

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