Global: US Senate Approves Bill to Block Federal Reserve CBDC Issuance Until 2030

The United States Senate has passed legislation that would prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) until at least 2030.

The provision was included in a broader housing package known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Although the CBDC restriction is not directly related to housing policy, lawmakers incorporated it into the bill, which passed the Senate with a decisive 89–10 vote. The legislation will now proceed to the United States House of Representatives for further consideration.

The bill explicitly states that the Federal Reserve “may not issue or create a central bank digital currency or any digital asset that is substantially similar to a central bank digital currency, either directly or indirectly through a financial institution or other intermediary.”

The move comes amid growing debate in the United States over the role of digital currencies in the financial system and the potential implications of a government-issued digital dollar.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump recently stated that he would refrain from signing additional legislation into law until a voter identification requirement verifying American citizenship is enacted. However, the path toward such legislation remains uncertain.

Industry groups focused on blockchain and digital assets have largely welcomed the Senate’s decision to restrict the issuance of a CBDC, arguing that it provides greater clarity while preserving space for private-sector innovation.

The Crypto Council for Innovation said legislative certainty on CBDCs could encourage technological development in the digital asset sector while protecting individual privacy.

“Legislative certainty on this subject will help foster the private-sector innovation driving U.S. leadership in digital assets while protecting Americans’ privacy,” the organisation said in a statement.

Similarly, Summer Mersinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Blockchain Association, expressed support for the restriction, warning that a government-issued digital currency could have far-reaching implications for financial privacy and civil liberties.

“A government-issued CBDC would threaten core American values — financial privacy, civil liberties and limits on state power — by giving the government unprecedented insight into everyday financial transactions,” she said.

The Senate vote comes as lawmakers continue to debate broader regulatory frameworks for digital assets, including the proposed CLARITY Act aimed at defining oversight responsibilities within the digital asset market, and the previously approved GENIUS Act, which focuses on establishing regulatory standards for stablecoins.

Together, these legislative efforts reflect the United States’ evolving approach to digital asset regulation as policymakers weigh innovation, financial stability, and privacy considerations in shaping the future of the sector.