More States Eye Blockchain for Records, Businesses

• Eight states have blockchain laws in place

• More states seek to enable government, industry blockchain use

State governments are tiptoeing into blockchain.

The digital ledger technology behind bitcoin has fanned more states’ interests for its potential for managing large sets of data in a secure and decentralized manner. Eight states have enacted laws to, among other things, order studies of the technology for government use, legalize blockchain-based electronic signatures, and permit corporations to track stocks on the digital ledger, Bloomberg Law data show.

Blockchain-related legislation is also pending in 13 states, according to the data. States envision possibly tapping blockchain ...