In brief
- House conservatives pushed to fold a CBDC ban into the housing package rather than advance it as standalone crypto legislation.
- The White House formally backed the bill after the Senate vote, saying President Trump would pass the bill in its current form should it hit his desk.
- Fed officials have previously said any U.S. CBDC would require explicit congressional approval and remains exploratory.
The U.S. Senate moved forward Monday on a sweeping bipartisan housing package that includes a provision barring the issuance of a central bank digital currency, an unusual pairing that has pulled digital-asset policy into a debate traditionally focused on housing supply and affordability.
Lawmakers voted 84–6 to advance the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, according to Semafor’s congressional bureau chief, Burgess Everett.
It’s a compromise measure that combines long-standing housing initiatives with provisions sought by House Republicans, including a prohibition on a Federal Reserve–issued digital dollar through the end of 2030.
The CBDC language appears in a standalone section of the bill, embedding limits on a U.S. digital dollar in a major housing vehicle rather than standalone crypto legislation.
“The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or a Federal Reserve Bank may not issue or create a central bank digital currency, or any digital asset substantially similar to a central bank digital currency, either directly or indirectly through a financial institution or other intermediary,” a copy of the bill’s text reads.
The provision was reportedly added at the urging of House conservatives, who had pressed leadership to secure a CBDC ban as part of earlier compromises on crypto-related measures.
The White House quickly issued a statement backing the legislation, highlighting both its housing affordability provisions and the CBDC restriction in an unusual step for Democrats, who have generally resisted efforts to pre-emptively bar the Federal Reserve from studying or developing a digital dollar.
“If the Senate Amendment to H.R. 6644 were presented to the President in its current form, his advisors would recommend that he sign it into law,” according to a screenshot of a White House statement provided by senior reporter and co-author of PunchbowlNews 's VAULT, Brendan Pedersen.
Federal Reserve officials have previously said the central bank would not issue a CBDC without explicit authorization from Congress, and policymakers have framed ongoing work as exploratory rather than a commitment to launch a digital currency.
Housing advocates have focused on the bill’s expansive scope, which includes measures to boost housing supply, limit institutional ownership of single-family homes, and streamline development and financing programs.
But the inclusion of digital-currency policy has drawn fresh attention from financial and technology circles, where debates over privacy, surveillance, and the role of government in payments remain unsettled.
The bill must still be reconciled with the House before reaching the president’s desk, and it remains unclear whether the CBDC provision will survive final negotiations intact.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Institution: Circle Stock Price Plunge May Be Misinterpreted, New Stablecoin Regulations Mainly Target Distribution End
Research firm Bernstein points out that the market misinterpreted the Clarity Act draft, causing Circle's stock price to plummet. The bill restricts stablecoin yield distribution, not issuance, so the impact on Circle's business model is limited. In contrast, a certain CEX needs to restructure its revenue mechanism. In the long term, restricting passive income may benefit Circle in consolidating its market position.
GateNews38m ago
10x Research: The battle over stablecoin regulation heats up, with increasing strategic divergence between Circle and certain CEXs
Recently, competition between Circle and a certain CEX has intensified in the stablecoin economy. Circle supports stablecoin regulatory legislation to gain legitimacy, and despite facing stock price volatility, it may benefit from regulatory certainty in the long term. The CEX, however, focuses on short-term gains. 10x Research is reassessing its investment strategy.
GateNews56m ago
Survey Shows UK Young People Broadly Optimistic About Cryptocurrency, Support Crosses Party Lines
A survey shows that cryptocurrency is quite popular among young people in the UK, with 64% of left-leaning party supporters having heard of cryptocurrency. Although right-wing parties such as the UK Reform Party support the crypto industry, its appeal has transcended partisan lines. The government faces industry pressure on regulation, with slow progress in advancing it.
GateNews1h ago
CFTC Establishes Innovation Task Force to Regulate Cryptocurrency and Artificial Intelligence Markets
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission established an innovation working group responsible for regulating cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and prediction markets, with the goal of developing clear rules, ensuring market competitiveness, and providing communication channels for innovators. The group collaborates with the SEC and CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee to promote responsible innovation, maintain market order, and boost investor confidence.
GateNews2h ago
Kalshi Launches "Report Insider Trading" Feature as Prediction Market Regulation Intensifies
Kalshi Launches "Report Insider Trading" Button to Strengthen Compliance and Regulation, Allowing Users to Report Potential Violations. Meanwhile, the platform restricts political candidates and athletes from participating in related markets, aimed at preventing conflicts of interest. This initiative comes amid regulatory pressure from lawmakers and reflects the platform's commitment to transparency and integrity in prediction markets.
GateNews2h ago
South Korea's People Power Party Proposes Canceling Cryptocurrency Tax: Originally Set to Take Effect in 2027 with 22% Tax Rate
South Korea's People Power Party proposes to cancel the 22% cryptocurrency gains tax set to take effect in 2027, arguing that the current tax system is immature and may cause unfairness, particularly affecting young investors. The party is concerned that strict taxation will lead to capital outflows, with 110 billion dollars already flowing out, affecting market activity. The bill is still under review, and whether it will pass remains uncertain. If it passes, it could boost market confidence and attract more investors.
GateNews3h ago
