Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a new law allowing state chartered banks and credit unions to provide Bitcoin and digital asset custody services, adding another U.S. state to the growing list of jurisdictions opening the door for regulated crypto banking services.
The legislation, House File 3709, takes effect on Aug. 1, 2026, and gives financial institutions legal authority to hold cryptocurrencies and private cryptographic keys on behalf of customers. The move is designed to provide a regulated framework for digital asset storage while giving traditional financial institutions a clearer path into the crypto sector.
Under the law, banks and credit unions can safeguard virtual currencies, manage private keys, and work with third party custodians if customer assets remain legally separated from the institution’s own holdings. Institutions must also notify the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce at least 60 days before launching custody services.
Minnesota joins states such as Wyoming, New York, Nebraska, and Virginia in establishing legal frameworks for crypto custody through regulated financial institutions.
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- Minnesota signed a new law allowing state-chartered banks and credit unions to offer Bitcoin and crypto custody services starting August 2026.
- The law lets institutions hold digital assets and private keys for customers under state supervision.
- Banks can use third-party custodians but must keep customer assets separate from company holdings.
- The framework requires cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance policies before launch.
- Critics say the law’s nonfiduciary structure could limit customer protections if assets are lost or hacked.
Why the Nonfiduciary Structure Matters
One of the most closely watched parts of the legislation is its nonfiduciary structure. The law allows banks and credit unions to provide custody services without assuming full fiduciary responsibility over customer assets.
That distinction could significantly limit institutional liability in cases involving hacks, lost keys, frozen funds, or operational failures. Supporters of the bill argue that reduced liability exposure makes it easier for banks to enter the crypto custody market without taking on risks that many institutions still consider difficult to manage.
Critics, however, say the structure could leave customers with fewer protections compared to traditional fiduciary arrangements. While the law requires institutions to maintain written policies and compliance programs, some industry observers argue that operational safeguards are not the same as direct legal accountability.
Rep. Bernie Perryman, one of the bill’s lead sponsors, said the legislation is intended to prevent Minnesotans from relying on offshore or unregulated crypto platforms for custody services.
Banks Must Meet Compliance and Cybersecurity Standards
Financial institutions offering custody services will still face a range of compliance obligations under the new law.
The legislation requires written policies covering cybersecurity, risk management, internal controls, emergency response procedures, and regulatory compliance before custody products can launch.
Customer assets must also remain operationally and legally segregated from institutional funds. Banks and credit unions cannot treat customer crypto holdings as their own property.
The rules are designed to address one of the biggest concerns in crypto custody: private key security. Private keys act as ownership credentials for Digitale Vermögenswerte, and losing them can permanently lock users out of their funds.
St. Cloud Financial Credit Union had already begun offering digital asset custody before the law officially passed. The institution launched its CU-Digital Asset Vault earlier this year and said members currently custody approximately 13.5 BTC through the platform.
The custody infrastructure operates through a collaborative safekeeping model in which no single party independently controls customer assets.
Traditional Finance Pushes Deeper Into Crypto Custody
Minnesota’s legislation arrives as banks, asset managers, and crypto firms continue expanding into digital asset custody and settlement services.
At the federal level, crypto companies including Kraken parent company Payward have sought national trust charters from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to provide institutional custody services. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has also reaffirmed that crypto custody is a permissible activity for national banks, helping reduce uncertainty around institutional participation in the sector.
The broader custody market has become increasingly important following the rapid growth of spot Bitcoin ETFs and rising institutional demand for secure storage solutions. Traditional financial institutions are now competing with crypto-native firms for custody market share, particularly among institutional investors seeking regulated service providers.
Minnesota’s approach differs from states such as Wyoming, which created specialized Crypto Banking charters. Instead, the new framework focuses on allowing existing banks and credit unions to expand their services under state oversight.
The law could also strengthen competition among regional financial institutions looking to retain customers interested in digital assets without forcing them toward external Kryptowechsel.
The Real Test Begins After August 1
While the legislation creates a legal pathway for crypto custody, it does not require banks or credit unions to launch services. The next phase will depend on whether institutions believe there is enough customer demand to justify the operational, cybersecurity, and compliance costs tied to digital asset custody.
Industry participants will be watching closely to see which institutions file notice with state regulators first and what types of custody products emerge after the law takes effect in August.
If adoption gains traction, Minnesota could become another example of how state-level legislation is shaping the integration of Bitcoin and digital assets into the traditional banking system.
