Key Takeaways:
Gov. McMaster signed S.163 into law, making South Carolina’s crypto protections among the strongest in the U.S.The bill passed 110-1 in the House and bans state agencies from accepting or testing any Federal Reserve central bank digital currency ( CBDC).South Carolina joins Texas and Florida in offering miners and blockchain operators zoning relief and licensing exemptions.S.163 was introduced Jan. 14, 2025, by state Sens. Verdin and Leber. The Senate passed it in May 2025, and the House followed on May 5, 2026. The bill was ratified on May 14, before McMaster signed it days later.
