Ohio has become the latest US state to move toward allowing cryptocurrency payments for government services after the State Board of Deposit unanimously approved its first vendor to process digital asset transactions, according to a Wednesday announcement from the Ohio secretary of state.
The move makes Ohio the fourth state to authorize cryptocurrencies for fees, following Colorado and Utah. Louisiana also passed a law earlier this year to adopt similar measures.
This development marks the board’s approval of the first vendor contract for crypto payments, building on the proposal designating cryptocurrencies as an authorized financial transaction device, which was passed unanimously by the board in May 2025.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose welcomed the decision, saying it will help Ohio maintain its position as one of the top states for business.
“I want to commend Treasurer Sprague, Auditor Faber, and Attorney General Yost for taking this bold step to position us at the forefront of the emerging digital economy,” said LaRose in a Wednesday statement.
“My office processes hundreds of thousands of financial transactions each year, and we’ve heard a growing demand for a cryptocurrency payment option. I’m excited and ready to be the first to provide it to our customers.”
“There’s a reason why we now rank among the top five states in the nation to do business,” added LaRose, saying Ohio was “not afraid to embrace the tools, trends and technologies that incentivize job creators to come here.”
Cointelegraph has reached out to the Ohio secretary of state for more details on the implementation timeline and which cryptocurrencies will be supported.
Related: Ohio introduces bill preventing state taxes on crypto payments
Lawmakers push for Ohio Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve
In April, LaRose and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague called on the board to authorize cryptocurrency payments, seeking to give state agencies the authority to accept crypto through a payment processor designated by the treasurer’s office.
The secretary of state’s office aims to become Ohio’s first state agency to accept fee payments using cryptocurrency.
Related: Ohio House passes bill allowing up to $200 tax-free crypto payments
LaRose has also supported House Bill 18, which seeks to create the Ohio Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve.
This proposition seeks to create a separate digital asset reserve from Ohio’s Bitcoin reserve proposition, which was introduced on Dec. 17, 2024, Cointelegraph reported.
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