The Nebraska senators voted for a bill that allows state banks to offer cryptocurrency services. Nebraska banks want to offer services to customers who want to buy or sell bitcoin and other digital assets. They can offer it under this bill.
Senators advanced the measure, 39-1, through the first of three required votes in the Legislature.
The measure would make Nebraska, the second state create a formal character for “Cryptobank” to facilitate transactions. Wyoming was the first state to charter the first institution in September.
Sen. Mike Flood said he introduced the bill after talking with a friend who recently decided to move a Cryptocurrency Company in Wyoming. Flood said Nebraska could become an early embracer of cryptocurrencies with a measure that could help bring high-paying technology.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity not only for my district, but the state of Nebraska,” said Flood.
Some financial services companies, including PayPal, started offering services that allow customers to buy and sell cryptocurrencies.
Nebraska bill would allow state-chartered banks to offer the same services by creating separate divisions within their companies, said San Mett Williams. Sen Mett Williams is chairman of the Legislature Banking Finance and Insurance committee.
“It’s new world, and we’re exploring that world together with this legislation”, Said William of Gothenburg.
Some lawmakers questioned whether it was smart for states to embrace cryptocurrencies and were still unclear about everything. “This bill is not anywhere close to being in a form where it could pass,” said Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard.
