TLDR
- House combines Anti-CBDC and CLARITY Act in a procedural move for Senate review.
- The CLARITY Act aims to regulate cryptocurrency markets, including the Anti-CBDC bill.
- The merger of both bills seeks to streamline crypto reform efforts in Congress.
- The Senate will debate crypto market reforms separately from the House’s bill.
The U.S. House of Representatives has moved to combine two key pieces of legislation related to digital asset regulation ahead of a Senate review. This procedural decision brings together a bill that bans the Federal Reserve from creating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) with the bipartisan CLARITY Act, which outlines the framework for cryptocurrency market oversight. The move comes after both bills passed the House in July and sets the stage for further deliberation in the Senate.
House Combines Anti-CBDC Bill with CLARITY Act
On September 16, 2025, the House voted to merge two previously separate bills: the Anti-CBDC bill and the CLARITY Act. The Anti-CBDC bill aims to prevent the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency, a move supported by many Republican lawmakers. The CLARITY Act seeks to create clearer rules for regulating the cryptocurrency market, addressing both investor protection and market structure.
In July 2025, the Anti-CBDC bill passed the House along party lines, while the CLARITY Act saw bipartisan support, gaining approval from both Republicans and 78 Democrats. Initially, the two bills were not combined, as some Republican members wanted to keep them separate to avoid jeopardizing the bipartisan backing for the CLARITY Act. However, under pressure from GOP hard-liners, House leaders agreed to merge them into a single measure.
Procedural Move to Streamline Legislation
The decision to combine the bills comes as part of a broader strategy to advance both initiatives in Congress. A spokesperson for House Financial Services Chair French Hill explained that merging the measures reflects the House’s commitment to both priorities. The spokesperson, Brooke Nethercott, stated, “Passing both the CLARITY Act and Anti-CBDC bill were key priorities for members of the House.”
With the bills combined, the House aims to send a unified package to the Senate. This procedural adjustment is intended to streamline the legislative process, ensuring that both the anti-CBDC measure and crypto market regulation are advanced together. However, the move is unlikely to have a major impact on the Senate’s ongoing work on cryptocurrency legislation.
Senate’s Role in Cryptocurrency Legislation
Although the House has moved to combine the two bills, the Senate is also advancing its own cryptocurrency market reform legislation. Senate Republicans are preparing their version of the crypto market framework, known as the Responsible Financial Innovation Act. This bill contains similar provisions related to crypto market regulation but does not yet include the Anti-CBDC language.
Senate Democrats have shown support for the CLARITY Act’s framework, and discussions are underway to find common ground on how to regulate digital assets. However, it is unclear whether the Senate will accept the House’s combined version or proceed with its own. Lawmakers in both chambers will need to negotiate a final version of the legislation before any bills can be signed into law.
No Immediate Change in Policy Direction
While the decision to combine the bills may appear significant, House sources have downplayed its immediate impact. Both the Anti-CBDC provision and the crypto market reforms already have support in the Senate, with lawmakers in both parties working on parallel legislative efforts. A spokesperson for House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill noted that the merger was more of a procedural move to ensure that both priorities advance to the Senate.
The move does not guarantee final passage of the bills in their current form. Senate discussions are ongoing, and compromises may be necessary to gain the support needed for final approval. However, the House’s decision to merge the bills reflects ongoing efforts by lawmakers to establish clearer rules for the digital asset industry while addressing concerns about government-controlled digital currencies.
Stay Ahead of the Market with Benzinga Pro!
Want to trade like a pro? Benzinga Pro gives you the edge you need in today's fast-paced markets. Get real-time news, exclusive insights, and powerful tools trusted by professional traders:
- Breaking market-moving stories before they hit mainstream media
- Live audio squawk for hands-free market updates
- Advanced stock scanner to spot promising trades
- Expert trade ideas and on-demand support
