Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Proposes Bitcoin for State Pension Funds

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, is advocating for the inclusion of Bitcoin in the state’s pension funds. On October 29, Patronis sent a letter to Chris Spencer, the Executive Director of the Florida State Board of Administration (SBA), proposing that the agency managing Florida’s pension funds consider adding Bitcoin to their investment portfolios.

Bitcoin as “Digital Gold”

In his letter, Patronis emphasizes that Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold,” could serve to diversify the state’s investment portfolio and act as a hedge against the volatility of traditional assets. He notes that other states, such as Wisconsin and Michigan, have already invested part of their state pension funds into cryptocurrencies.

Maximizing Returns for Floridians

Patronis argues that the primary goal of managing state pensions should be to secure the best return on investment for Floridians. He believes that investing in Bitcoin could be a strategic move to achieve this objective. “This is where the potential of investing in a cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, becomes particularly compelling,” Patronis stated.

Aligning with State Policies

Patronis also pointed out that this move aligns with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ efforts to block central bank digital currencies. He describes cryptocurrencies as the “antithesis” of central currencies due to their decentralized nature.

“There’s no telling what the future of cryptocurrency will be, but Florida must stay ahead of the curve to get the best returns for Floridians,” Patronis highlighted in his letter.

He requested the SBA to produce a report on the feasibility, risks, and potential benefits of directing a portion of state retirement funds into digital assets. This report aims to provide lawmakers with the necessary context before the next legislative session.

Digital Currency Investment Pilot Program

As a preliminary step, Patronis suggested that the SBA could initiate a Digital Currency Investment Pilot Program within the Florida Growth Fund. According to a January 2024 report, the Florida Growth Fund is permitted to use up to 1.5% of the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund. The fund has invested approximately $998 million into high-growth investments from 2022 to 2023.

Other States’ Investments in Bitcoin

In July 2024, the State of Michigan Retirement System invested $6.6 million into ARK 21Shares’ ARKB spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). Previously, Michigan had reported a $99 million Bitcoin investment through BlackRock’s IBIT ETF.

Similarly, in May 2024, the State of Wisconsin held nearly $99.1 million worth of shares in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. Additionally, Wisconsin owned Grayscale GBTC shares valued at over $63.3 million, bringing their total Bitcoin-related investments to nearly $170 million.

By considering Bitcoin for its pension funds, Florida aims to join the ranks of progressive states leveraging cryptocurrencies for potential financial growth. This initiative could mark a significant step towards modernizing the state’s investment strategies and securing robust returns for its pensioners.

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