New Hampshire Registers HB639 to Protect Digital Asset Payments and Self-Custody Rights

New Hampshire’s House bill HB639 completed its registration process on July 1, setting out protections for the use of digital assets in payments, self-custody, and certain blockchain-related activities. According to Foresight News, the bill says state and local governments may not restrict individuals from using digital assets to pay, or from holding assets in self-custody wallets. It also states that governments may not impose additional taxes solely because digital assets are used. The bill further provides that individuals or businesses operating nodes, mining, or staking would not be required to obtain a money transmitter license, and these activities would not be treated as issuing or selling securities. In addition, HB639 authorizes the state’s Supreme Court to establish a “blockchain dispute court” to handle related civil disputes. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after it is passed.