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A new nonprofit organization, the Tennessee Bitcoin Alliance (TNBTC)<\/a>, has been formed to accelerate bitcoin adoption across Tennessee through coordinated public-education programs and a focused legislative agenda. Its stated mission is to integrate bitcoin with commercial activity in the state.<\/p>\n The organization was founded by seasoned technologists, entrepreneurs and political activists and aims to translate Tennessee\u2019s favorable energy mix and business climate into long-term leadership in the adoption of bitcoin. The TNBTC launched last month with an in-person event in Franklin, Tennessee<\/a>, with several state lawmakers and policy specialists attending.<\/p>\n TNBTC will begin rolling out statewide workshops this fall. Sessions for households will cover practical topics such as acquiring, securing and spending bitcoin, while merchant-oriented programs will provide hands-on guidance for integrating Lightning-enabled point-of-sale systems. Additional free materials and bitcoin education curricula<\/a> are planned for educators, civic groups and local officials to ensure a common understanding of Bitcoin\u2019s technical fundamentals and economic implications.<\/p>\n On the policy front, the alliance is circulating draft language for the 2026 General Assembly that would affirm every resident\u2019s right to self-custody, recognize bitcoin node operation as constitutionally protected speech, permit contracts to be settled in bitcoin without adverse tax treatment and distinguish bitcoin from other digital assets in state code.<\/p>\n \u201cTennessee already combines a top-ten freedom ranking, abundant low-cost nuclear power, and a bipartisan appetite for innovation,\u201d said Dave Birnbaum<\/a>, TNBTC\u2019s president and co-founder. \u201cOur goal is to combine those advantages with bitcoin and position our state for rapid economic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n The Tennessee Valley Authority\u2019s grid, which is nearly half nuclear, offers miners and data center operators a stable, low-carbon power source. The state also hosts existing high-performance computing<\/a> infrastructure, from Oak Ridge National Laboratory to the xAI facilities in Memphis. According to the Coinbits Bitcoin Index<\/a>, which aggregates tax policy, energy pricing, regulatory climate and adoption metrics, Tennessee currently ranks fifth nationwide for Bitcoin friendliness. TNBTC believes it can build upon this momentum.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom Oak Ridge\u2019s Frontier super-computer to FedEx\u2019s global logistics hub, Tennessee has a history of converting frontier technology into real jobs,\u201d said Steve Giraud, TNBTC vice-president and co-founder. \u201cBitcoin is the next frontier, and this initiative will make sure that the economic opportunity that bitcoin affords can reach every county in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n TNBTC is supported entirely by individual and corporate donations. Membership information, program schedules and volunteer opportunities are available at tnbitcoinalliance.org.<\/a> The organization\u2019s first county-level meetups are slated for August, with pilot workshops targeting public-school educators and small-business owners.<\/p>\n If successful, the Tennessee Bitcoin Alliance could provide a replicable framework for state-level Bitcoin adoption rooted in practical education and clear statutory protections, cementing the Volunteer State\u2019s reputation as a leading jurisdiction for innovative technologies that advance personal liberty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nEducation First: Workshops and Merchant Integration<\/h2>\n
A Legislative Roadmap for 2026<\/h2>\n
Tennessee Bitcoin: Leveraging Energy and Industry Advantages<\/h2>\n
Funding and Participation<\/h2>\n