Share this article
Illinois Lawmakers Pass Bill Forming Blockchain Task Force
Lawmakers in Illinois have passed a bill to create an intergovernmental working group that will study public sector applications of blockchain.
By Stan Higgins
Updated Sep 11, 2021, 1:30 p.m. Published Jun 30, 2017, 2:00 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google
Lawmakers in the US state of Illinois have passed a bill creating an inter-governmental task force that will study public sector applications of blockchain.
The measure – House Resolution 120 – passed with 98 votes on 28th June, receiving just seven non-votes and two abstentions.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
As reported in February, the bill called for participation from agencies such as the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the Cook County Recorder of Deeds and the Department of Innovation and Technology. Other members will be appointed by Illinois' Secretary of State, as well as leaders from both the state's House and Senate.
Among the specific applications set to be investigated by the task force is the use of the technology for state record-keeping – a use case previously explored in states like Vermont. In that case, though, a group created by local lawmakers ultimately argued against a state-backed blockchain project.
The new Illinois Legislative Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Task Force, as it is called, now has a deadline of 1st January to submit its report to the legislature.
To date, the state has pursed an ambitious blockchain agenda through its Illinois Blockchain Initiative, aimed at envisioning how the tech could be implemented across a range of government services. As part of that investigation, the IDFPR joined the R3 distributed ledger consortium in March.
Illinois officials are also looking to the startup space for ideas. Notably, Saturday, 1st July, marks the first day of the month-long IBI Hack, an educational initiative open to students and recent university graduates.
Lincoln Memorial image via Shutterstock
More For You
KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
Gold tops $5,000 as bitcoin stalls near $87,000 in widening macro-crypto split: Asia Morning Briefing
Bitcoin’s onchain data points to supply overhang and weak participation, while gold’s breakout is priced by markets as a durable macro regime shift.
What to know:
- Gold’s surge above $5,000 an ounce is increasingly seen as a durable regime shift, with investors treating the metal as a persistent hedge against geopolitical risk, central bank demand and a weaker dollar.
- Bitcoin is stuck near $87,000 in a low-conviction market, as on-chain data show older holders selling into rallies, newer buyers absorbing losses and a heavy supply overhang capping moves toward $100,000.
- Derivatives and prediction markets point to continued consolidation in bitcoin and sustained strength in gold, with thin futures volumes, subdued leverage and weak demand for higher-beta crypto assets like ether reinforcing the cautious tone.
Top Stories
