David Edwards
Arizona, Texas, and Utah have emerged as frontrunners in blockchain and cryptocurrency policy among U.S. states, according to a recent study from Chainlink and the Blockchain Association. The research, titled Tokenized in America, identifies the three states as “Trailblazers” for their proactive stance on blockchain regulation and ecosystem development.
The report assessed all 50 states on multiple factors including government-backed blockchain pilots, active pro-crypto task forces, legislative support, concentration of blockchain workforce, initiatives involving strategic Bitcoin reserves, and membership in the North American Blockchain Association (NABA).
“Texas, Arizona, and Utah earned Trailblazer status for their strength in both policy and ecosystem development,” the report states. Other noteworthy states include North Carolina, California, New Hampshire, and Wyoming, all of which scored highly in specific regulatory and innovation categories.
“Tokenized in America is helping shine a light on the important role these states are playing when it comes to digital assets,” said Adam Minehardt, Head of Policy at Chainlink Labs. “With so much occurring at the federal level, we cannot overlook the substantial activity happening at the state level.”
The findings were released during the U.S. government’s so-called “Crypto Week,” a pivotal moment for federal blockchain regulation. During this legislative window, lawmakers are expected to vote on three key bills aimed at providing clarity for the crypto industry:
- GENIUS Act – Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins
- CLARITY Act – Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
- Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act – A bill aimed at preventing the launch of a U.S. central bank digital currency
While the CLARITY Act has received criticism for being imperfect, its potential passage is viewed by many as a step toward positioning the U.S. as a global leader in digital asset regulation.
According to the report, more than half of U.S. states have strong legislative support for blockchain policy, 36% maintain active crypto task forces, and 22% operate blockchain pilot programs. Furthermore, 16% of states have either enacted or are considering strategic Bitcoin reserve initiatives.
As the landscape for digital assets continues to evolve rapidly, the leadership from these states may serve as a template for national and international crypto policy frameworks.
