Louisiana has implemented a new option for residents to make payments to government agencies using Bitcoin and Circle’s stablecoin USDC, according to a September 18 press release.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be the first agency to accept these payments, with the possibility of expanding to other state departments in the future. Secretary Madison Sheahan said offering digital payment options aligns with the department’s goal of improving customer service.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has already processed the first payment through the new system and received a payment through the Bitcoin Lightning network.
Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming said the transition aims to provide residents with more flexibility while ensuring the state remains protected from the volatility of the crypto markets. As such, cryptocurrency payments are converted into US dollars at the time of the transaction.
Fleming said:
“By introducing cryptocurrency as a payment option, we are offering citizens another way to interact with state services, while maintaining safeguards to ensure the state’s financial stability.”
The system will be supported by Bead Pay, a company specialized in crypto payments. The company will facilitate the conversion of digital currencies into US dollars. The state will not directly own cryptocurrency, and the money will be deposited into state accounts, similar to traditional debit or credit card transactions.
State Rep. Mark Wright (R-Covington), who has been a proponent of digital asset legislation, welcomed the expansion of payment options, saying:
“This is a positive step forward in providing residents with new technologies to connect with state government.”
Louisiana’s pro-Bitcoin push
The move to accept crypto payments for state services follows a series of pro-crypto policies from the Louisiana government. Earlier this year, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill banning central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and guaranteeing residents’ rights to self-custody and cryptocurrency mining.
The bill, HB 488, banned state authorities from participating in federal testing regarding CBDCs and allowed individuals and businesses to freely use and store crypto. The legislation also protected domestic and commercial crypto mining activities, positioning Louisiana as a state open to digital asset innovation.
The latest move to integrate cryptocurrency payments with state services builds on this momentum and highlights the state’s broader commitment to embracing digital financial technologies while balancing regulatory oversight.