Loading chat...
MD HB859
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/4/2026
Primary Sponsor
Adrian Boafo
Click for details
AI Summary
- Prohibits any Maryland state agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision from restricting a person's ability to accept digital assets as payment, use self-hosted or hardware wallets, operate blockchain nodes, develop blockchain software, transfer digital assets, or participate in staking
- Clarifies that offering or providing digital asset staking as a service does not constitute the offer or sale of an investment contract or security under the Maryland Securities Act, exempting it from related filing and registration requirements (§ 11–205 and § 11–501)
- Defines key terms including "digital asset" (encompassing cryptocurrency, stablecoins, fungible tokens, nonfungible tokens, and other digital representations of value), "staking," "blockchain," "node," and "self-hosted wallet"
- Preserves the authority of the Commissioner under the Maryland Money Transmission Act and the Attorney General's Division of Consumer Protection under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act to continue regulating and enforcing in the digital asset space
- Takes effect June 1, 2026, and preempts any existing state or local regulations, rules, or ordinances that conflict with its provisions
Legislative Description
Financial Institutions - Digital Assets and Digital Asset Staking - Regulation (Maryland Financial Innovation Act of 2026)
Rules and Regulations
Last Action
Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m.
2/18/2026
Committee Referrals
Economic Matters2/4/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available