TLDR
- Senate approved the 21st Century Road to Housing Act in an 89-10 decision, featuring an amendment that bans CBDCs.
- The prohibition prevents the Federal Reserve from launching a central bank digital currency through December 31, 2030.
- Private digital currencies, including stablecoins that are dollar-denominated, open, permissionless, and private, remain unaffected.
- Passage in the House of Representatives remains uncertain as some members may oppose certain provisions.
- President Trump’s stance on withholding signatures until voter-ID legislation passes creates additional complications.
On Thursday, the United States Senate approved comprehensive housing legislation that incorporates a moratorium on the Federal Reserve launching a central bank digital currency.
🚨BREAKING: The United States Senate has just voted to ban a Federal Reserve CBDC until the year 2030! 🇺🇸
“The Federal Reserve has no chance of issuing a digital dollar.”
HUGE WIN FOR CRYPTO! pic.twitter.com/IRouGlz1EA
— JackTheRippler ©️ (@RippleXrpie) March 13, 2026
Known as the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, the legislation secured overwhelming support with an 89-10 vote. Embedded within the final sections of the 302-page document is a provision that prevents the Fed from introducing a CBDC—or any comparable digital asset—before 2030 concludes.
This prohibition extends to both direct Federal Reserve action and any attempts to issue digital currencies through financial institutions or third-party intermediaries.
Notably, the bill leaves stablecoins untouched. Digital currencies backed by the dollar that maintain openness, permissionless access, and privacy protections continue to operate without restriction.
Both Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and President Donald Trump have expressed support for stablecoins as tools to strengthen the US dollar’s global reach. Trump alongside Republican colleagues have maintained firm opposition to central bank digital currencies.
Why Lawmakers Want a CBDC Ban
Over 30 members of Congress signed correspondence dated March 6 calling for the Senate to establish a permanent rather than temporary prohibition. Representative Ralph Norman, among those who signed, expressed concern that a CBDC would grant “unelected bureaucrats unprecedented power over Americans’ finances.”
Prominent hedge fund manager Ray Dalio has similarly cautioned against CBDC implementation due to privacy concerns. “There will be no privacy, and it’s a very effective controlling mechanism by the government,” Dalio stated during a recent conversation.
Certain legislators have extended their concerns beyond CBDCs, cautioning that regulated stablecoins might introduce surveillance capabilities. Representative Warren Davidson has contended that the GENIUS Act, designed to establish stablecoin regulations, potentially opens the door to financial monitoring through programmable currency features.
Cody Carbone, CEO of the Digital Chamber, praised the Senate’s decision. “Financial privacy is a cornerstone of American freedom,” Carbone stated, emphasizing that digital innovation within the United States “should be led by the private sector.”
The Road Ahead Is Not Clear
Despite Senate passage, the legislation confronts potential obstacles. House members have indicated possible resistance to elements of the Senate’s version, especially a section that would restrict the number of residential properties large institutional investors like private equity firms can acquire.
President Trump has declared he won’t approve any bills until Congress enacts voter-ID requirements. This stipulation introduces additional uncertainty not only for the housing legislation but also for other pending measures, including the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.
Federal authorities have yet to advance beyond preliminary research stages regarding CBDC development. Establishing a formal prohibition has represented a key priority for numerous Republican legislators.
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