West Virginia bill go allow state make investment up to 10% of reserves for gold, stablecoins and bitcoin

West Virginia Senator Chris Rose bring Senate Bill 143, di "Inflation Protection Act," for January 15, 2026. Di proposal go allow State Treasury Board make dem fit put up to 10% of some treasury accounts for small set of nontraditional assets: precious metals (gold, silver), regulator-approved stablecoins, and digital currencies wey meet one strict market-cap test — average market capitalization of US$750 billion for di previous calendar year. Dat threshold mean say only very big crypto like Bitcoin (BTC) fit qualify today. Di bill permit different custody models — direct holdings, exchange-traded products (ETPs) or other approved custody arrangements — and e even consider yield options like staking or ETPs if dem follow specific safeguards (qualified custodianship, reporting, audits and insurance). Supporters dey call SB 143 cautious inflation hedge and way to diversify from cash and bonds; critics dey worry about fiduciary duty and volatility. Di measure don refer go di state Senate Banking and Insurance Committee to review risk controls, reporting requirements and operational safeguards. If dem pass am, di law go allow small experiment (up to 10% of eligible funds) to use gold, regulator-backed stablecoins and very large-cap crypto to try protect purchasing power. Traders suppose note di bill narrow asset eligibility, custody and regulatory constraints, and small near-term fiscal impact unless other states adopt bigger allocations — all dis things mean no big immediate market-moving demand for crypto but e fit increase chance for gradual institutional adoption at state level.