Bhutan has partnered with Binance Pay and local digital bank DK Bank to launch the world’s first national cryptocurrency-based tourism payment system. This new system lets travelers using Binance Pay pay for almost every part of their trip, from hotels to restaurants, using crypto. It’s a bold move that positions Bhutan as a leader in digital finance innovation, making travel more seamless for tech-savvy tourists while boosting the nation’s appeal as a forward-thinking destination.
Bitcoin price finds steady support at the $103,110 mark on Saturday, May 17 after Trump’s bold policy statements provided directional hints around Fed cuts and geopolitical risks. Trump’s Comments Stir Bitcoin Volatility as Rally Stalls Near $103K Bitcoin (BTC) paused its strong May rally on Friday, closing marginally lower at $103,110 after hitting intra-day highs of $103,677. The cooling momentum comes amid a flurry of updates from U.S. President Donald Trump, who reignited both macroeconomic and geopolitical discussions. Bitcoin (BTC) Price Action, May 17, 2o25 | Source: Coingecko Bitcoin traders appears to be reassessing bullish risk sentiment following his statements on Federal Reserve policy and an unexpected announcement regarding high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The Fed should cut rates sooner, rather than later.” Trump openly criticized Jerome Powell in a Truth Social post on Saturday, May 17, 2025. His remarks underscored renewed pressure on the central bank ahead… Read More at Coingape.com
According to Johnny Garcia, Managing Director of Institutional Growth and Capital Markets at the VeChain Foundation, Texas will likely become the next state to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve after New Hampshire.
In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Garcia explained that states with pro-innovation leadership are more inclined to follow New Hampshire’s example. Meanwhile, others may adopt a more cautious, wait-and-see approach.
Why States Like Texas Are More Likely to Follow New Hampshire’s Bitcoin Reserve Lead
The VeChain executive described New Hampshire’s passage of House Bill 302 as a ‘landmark moment’ for digital assets. He stated that the development highlights Bitcoin’s growing recognition as a strategic financial instrument.
It also lays the groundwork to encourage wider blockchain adoption by normalizing digital assets in public portfolios.
“Momentum has been gathering at the State level since the presidential inauguration, and have commented before, there is a sea change taking place in the minds of State representatives across the general perception of Bitcoin [and other crypto assets] in the US,” Garcia told BeInCrypto.
Importantly, he believes the move could prompt the states already considering related legislation to accelerate their efforts so they don’t fall behind. The latest data from Bitcoin Laws shows that as of May 2025, 37 digital asset-related bills are active in 20 states.
Live Bitcoin Reserve Bills Across 20 States. Source: Bitcoin Laws
However, Garcia emphasized that the success of these bills depends on various factors. These include a state’s political climate, economic priorities, and risk tolerance.
“States with pro-innovation leadership, like Texas or Utah, are more likely to follow New Hampshire’s lead in short order, while others may wait to see how things play out for N.H,” he added.
With Texas now in the spotlight, there is strong optimism that similar legislation will be signed into law. Republican Governor Greg Abbott has expressed a favorable outlook toward the industry. The Texas Legislative session ends on June 2, so the decision could come any day now.
This trend highlights a clear difference of opinion between Democrats and Republicans regarding investments in digital asset reserves, a divide Garcia also acknowledges.
“These differences are nothing new, and I chalk them up to deeper-rooted perspectives, just like there are conservatives and liberals, or risk takers and those who like to play things safe. Some may try to tease out those groups and label people on one side as Democratic and the other as Republican, but I think that is too simplistic,” he said.
He acknowledged that bridging this gap poses a significant, but surmountable, challenge. The executive noted that increased cooperation can be fostered through education and a deeper understanding of the technology’s potential benefits and risks.
According to Garcia, the focus should be on identifying shared goals, such as leveraging blockchain to improve efficiency and transparency in government operations—an approach that could lay the groundwork for bipartisan collaboration.
“The ultimate goal would be to develop a thoughtful and balanced approach to digital assets that can benefit all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. This can be achieved by moving the conversation beyond partisan lines and focusing on the long-term economic and technological implications,” Garcia disclosed to BeInCrypto.
How Will State-Level Interest Impact Broader Crypto Adoption?
Whether Democrats and Republicans will ever fully agree on digital assets remains uncertain. Despite this, the introduction of bills and increased discussions at the state level signal growing interest and momentum.
Garcia said this shift marks a fundamental change in how public finance views blockchain assets, recognizing them as tools for innovation and resilience.
“It, combined with the strength of Bitcoin, has rekindled the discussion around ‘digital gold’ and could help reshape public finance by introducing decentralized, censorship-resistant assets into traditional portfolios,” he commented.
It normalizes digital assets as a strategic asset class, not just speculative. This encourages more institutional and enterprise participation.
This also pushes policymakers and the public to better understand digital assets’ risks and benefits, which can lead to clearer and better regulations.
It helps build infrastructure like regulated custody and on-chain auditability. This makes blockchain adoption easier for businesses.
He also said that while accessibility remains a challenge for mainstream adoption, state-backed initiatives could foster partnerships between the public and private sectors. This collaboration could lead to the development of user-friendly wallets, custody services, and decentralized finance platforms, expanding access for both retail and institutional users.
“This aligns with our focus at VeChain on scalable, enterprise-grade blockchain solutions, and we anticipate that state-level adoption will create a ripple effect, accelerating the integration of digital assets into both public and private sectors,” Garcia remarked.
The Balance Between Opportunity and Risk in State Crypto Holdings
While the benefits inspire optimism, the reserves carry several implications for a common taxpayer. Garcia explained that supporters believe state investments could boost long-term returns and diversify away from inflation-prone assets, potentially strengthening the state’s finances and benefiting taxpayers. Yet, he claimed,
“We have not yet reached the point where Bitcoin has achieved a greater level of stability, and if it sees a similar pullback compared to previous cycles, that would greatly diminish interest in setting up reserves and could cost taxpayers money.”
Garcia warned that significant price drops could lead to losses in the state’s reserves. Thus, if the allocation is too large or poorly managed, this could potentially threaten financial stability.
“This could, in theory, lead to pressure for tax policy changes to offset those losses, although this would depend heavily on the scale of the investment and the state’s overall financial health,” he mentioned to BeInCrypto.
Garcia advocated educating taxpayers about both the benefits and risks to maintain public trust. He emphasized that the long-term impact will depend on the responsible and strategic management of these reserves.
Beyond tax concerns, Garcia detailed several challenges states may face when implementing crypto reserves.
“The volatility of digital assets remains the biggest challenge facing states looking to implement reserves, as managing this volatility within a public treasury framework will require careful consideration and potentially sophisticated risk management strategies,” he commented.
Garcia also mentioned that educating lawmakers and the public is crucial for wider acceptance, as many state officials lack expertise in digital asset management and will need training or specialists. He underlined that federal regulatory uncertainty adds complexity. Therefore, clear rules on custody and reporting are necessary.
According to Garcia, transparency and strong cybersecurity measures are other key factors essential to ensuring the long-term success of these initiatives.
The Road to a National Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
Meanwhile, Garcia pointed out that concerns over taxes and market volatility are why President Trump’s Bitcoin reserve does not include provisions for investing the country’s funds. Instead, it focuses on using forfeited assets to build the stockpile.
The SBR would involve acquiring 1 million Bitcoins over five years and holding them for at least 20 years. Garcia declared that allowing direct Bitcoin investments would depend on shifting political and economic factors.
“Allowing for such purchases will require bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, along with the President’s signature, but as the recent stall for the GENIUS Act shows, lawmakers are far from being on the same page,” the executive shared with BeInCrypto.
Garcia believes that a clear regulatory framework for crypto and a plan to incorporate Bitcoin into a strategic reserve will eventually be established by law. Nonetheless, the timeline and specific details of these bills remain ‘challenging to predict.’
Metaplanet, popular as Japan’s MicroStrategy, announced its decision to issue its 13th Series of Ordinary Bonds, and raise a total of $25 million for fresh Bitcoin purchases. Through its EVO FUND, the company has been periodically issuing bonds by drawing a leaf from Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin playbook. The announcement led to a quick 12% surge in the stock price during today’s trading session, moving closer to 500 JPY.
Metaplanet Prepares for Massive Bitcoin Purchases
Via its ordinary bonds, Japanese firm Metaplanet announced raising $25 million at 0% earmarked for the acquisition of Bitcoin. Redemption of the bonds will be funded through proceeds generated from the exercise of the 15th to 17th Series of Stock Acquisition Rights, reported the firm.
Furthermore, company CEO Simon Gerovich announced the company’s latest Bitcoin acquisition, revealing the purchase of 555 BTC for approximately $53.4 million at an average price of $96,134 per coin.
This addition brings the firm’s total Bitcoin holdings to 5,555 BTC, acquired at a cumulative cost of around $481.5 million, averaging $86,672 per Bitcoin. Since the beginning of 2025, Metaplanet has been on an aggressive BTC acquisition spree, moving fast and close to its target of having 10,000 BTC in treasury by the end of 2026.
Additionally, the firm is quick in its overseas expansion, opening a Miami office last week. Today’s announcement of Bitcoin purchases has led to a 12% surge in the Metaplanet stock price, which is already up by 33% since the beginning of 2025.