Emre Yumlu 
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has yet to sign Senate Bill 21 (SB 21), a legislative proposal that would establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) for the state.
On June 20, Abbott signed 306 bills from the 89th Regular Legislative Session, including 15 that were considered high priority, such as those mandating efficiency audits for state agencies. Yet, the bill focused on Bitcoin was notably missing from the list.
Legal Framework for a Permanent Bitcoin Reserve in Texas
If passed, SB 21 would make Texas one of the first U.S. states to officially hold Bitcoin as a reserve asset. The legislation authorizes the state comptroller to use surplus funds from the General Revenue to purchase Bitcoin, under transparency and oversight protocols similar to those already applied to the Texas Gold Depository.
One standout feature of the bill is that it restricts eligible reserve assets to those with a market cap exceeding $600 billion for at least two consecutive years — a threshold currently met only by Bitcoin.
According to a statement from Abbott’s office, over 1,200 bills were submitted for his review this session, and SB 21 is still under consideration.
No Signature, No Problem?
Julian Fahrer, founder of Bitcoin Laws, criticized the governor’s silence, noting that Abbott has previously held press conferences for major bills. Fahrer called this a missed opportunity for a symbolic gesture in favor of crypto.
However, Fahrer also pointed out that under the Texas Constitution, any bill not vetoed or signed within 20 days of the legislature’s adjournment becomes law automatically. That means SB 21 could go into effect without Abbott’s signature as early as June 22.
Fahrer also drew attention to House Bill 4488, which Abbott did sign. The bill allows certain state-managed funds to be designated as permanent — potentially laying the legal groundwork for the proposed Bitcoin reserve. These funds could be held either inside or outside the state treasury, depending on future legislation.
Governor’s Silence Raises Questions
Governor Abbott’s lack of public action is particularly striking given his past support for the crypto industry. Just weeks ago, he shared news about SB 21 on his official X account, voicing enthusiasm for blockchain innovation in Texas. He has also backed legislation promoting crypto mining as a tool for economic development and energy grid resilience.
While the bill’s future still technically hangs in the balance, it could soon become law — with or without a signature — signaling a major step for Texas in aligning state policy with digital asset adoption.
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