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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB86

Alaska Money Transmission and Virtual Currency Law

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 12:25 AM

In one sentence

This law updates rules for businesses that send money or use virtual currency, requiring them to get a license from the state.

What it does

  • Requires people who move money or handle virtual currency to hold a valid license unless they are an authorized delegate or exempt.
  • Sets up a system where Alaska can work with other states on licensing and investigations through a nationwide multistate system.
  • Defines that the department must approve or deny a new license application within 120 days after it is considered complete, unless extended for good cause.
  • Creates rules for keeping records, reporting changes, and handling abandoned virtual currency.
  • Lists specific services that do not need a money transmission license.

Who it affects

  • Businesses that send money or use virtual currency
  • The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
  • People who want to buy control of a licensed business

Limits and unknowns

  • The exact dollar amounts for application and renewal fees are not listed in this text.
  • Specific details about which payroll services or other activities are exempt from licensing are not fully described here.
  • The final effective date of the law is noted as being set by a chapter reference, but no specific calendar date appears in the provided excerpt.

Plain language

Terms to know

Money transmission
Business activities that involve sending or receiving money for others.
Virtual currency
Digital forms of money used to transfer value, as referenced in the bill title and purpose section.
Authorized delegate
A person who acts on behalf of a licensed company under a written contract within the scope of that authority.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official summary

MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY An Act relating to the business of money transmission; relating to licenses for money transmission, licensure requirements, and registration through a nationwide multistate licensing system; relating to the use of virtual currency for money transmission; relating to authorized delegates of a licensee; relating to acquisition of control of a license; relating to record retention and reporting requirements; authorizing the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to cooperate with other states in the regulation of money transmission; relating to permissible investments; relating to violations and enforcement of money transmission laws; relating to exemptions to money transmission licensure requirements; relating to payroll processing services; relating to currency exchange licenses; relating to abandoned virtual currency; amending Rules 79 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER
  2. (S) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 6/30 CH 48 SLA 26
  3. (S) 3:55 P.M. 6/15/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR2988
  4. (S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)2989
  5. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2656
  6. (S) COURT RULE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2656
  7. (S) CONCUR AM OF (H) Y20 N-2655
  8. (S) CONCUR MESSAGE TAKEN UP2655
  9. (S) CONCUR MESSAGE READ2637
  10. (H) VERSION: HCS CSSB 86(FIN)2561
  11. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) AS AMENDED2561
  12. (H) RECONSIDERATION NOT TAKEN UP2561
  13. (H) JOHNSON NOTICE OF RECONSIDERATION2514
  14. (H) TITLE CHANGE: HCR 172515
  15. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2514
  16. (H) COURT RULE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE2514
  17. (H) PASSED Y402514
  18. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME HCS CSSB 86(FIN)2513
  19. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/12 CALENDAR2496
  20. (H) FIN HCS ADOPTED UC2496