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Read. Follow. Verify.Delaware Banking Modernization Act authorizes digital asset management and reciprocal out-of-state fiduciary powers
Last action · July 6, 2026: Signed by GovernorSponsors: Spiros Mantzavinos and 5 others
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What This Bill Does
State-chartered banks and trust companies are authorized to manage s and virtual currency as personal property, while out-of-state financial institutions may now act as fiduciaries in Delaware under reciprocal agreements. The Delaware Banking Modernization Act of 2026 also establishes specialized banking institutions with tailored powers and streamlines corporate governance and interstate mergers.
Delaware-chartered institutions gain explicit legal authority to offer custody and wealth management services starting July 6, 2026.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
State-chartered banks and trust companies
Financial institutions gain explicit authority to hold digital assets as fiduciary property, utilize flexible board-sizing rules, and participate in expanded interstate conversion frameworks.
Out-of-state financial institutions
Institutions chartered in other states are permitted to act as fiduciaries in Delaware and convert into Delaware state banks or trust companies under specified conditions.
Bank customers holding digital assets
Customers can utilize Delaware-chartered financial institutions to custody and administer digital assets and virtual currencies in a fiduciary capacity.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a digital asset under the new law?
Can out-of-state banks act as fiduciaries in Delaware?
Do bank mergers require a separate court order to transfer fiduciary appointments like trusteeships?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
11 actions- Jul 6, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolledSigned by Governor
- Jun 18, 2026HouseFloorPassed By House. Votes: 36 YES 5 ABSENT
- Jun 16, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 6 On Its Merits
- May 5, 2026HouseIntroducedAssigned to Appropriations Committee in House
- May 5, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 9 On Its Merits
- Apr 30, 2026HouseIntroducedAssigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House
Show 5 earlier actions
- Apr 23, 2026SenateFloorPassed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 NOT VOTING
- Apr 23, 2026SenateCommitteeAmendment SA 1 to SS 1 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 3 ABSENT
- Apr 23, 2026SenateCommitteeAmendment SA 1 to SS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
- Apr 22, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
- Apr 21, 2026SenateIntroducedAdopted in lieu of the original bill SB 16, and Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
2/3
Total
41
- Yes
- 36
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
- Other positions
- 5
How they voted (36)
12 more members
Show 1 earlier roll call
2/3
Total
21
- Yes
- 20
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
- Other positions
- 1
How they voted (20)
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 1 more sponsor
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Integration of Digital Assets into Traditional Banking
The state statutory framework explicitly brings digital assets and virtual currencies under the definition of personal property manageable by state-chartered fiduciaries.
Connected Entities
Sources
legis.delaware.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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