The U.S. Senate has approved a major housing bill that includes a provision barring the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency through the end of 2030.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in an 85 to 5 vote.
- The legislation includes a ban preventing the Federal Reserve from issuing or creating a CBDC until Dec. 31, 2030.
- The bill now heads to the House of Representatives before reaching President Donald Trump for final approval.
- The move reflects growing political opposition to a U.S. digital dollar and aligns with the Trump administration’s anti CBDC stance.
What Happened?
The U.S. Senate has passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a broad housing affordability package that aims to increase housing supply and lower costs for American families. While the legislation is primarily focused on housing policy, it also contains a significant provision that would block the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency until the end of 2030.
The measure cleared the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support in an 85 to 5 vote and is now expected to move quickly through the House of Representatives before being sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.
BREAKING: 🇺🇸 The U.S. Senate passes a bill banning the Federal Reserve from creating a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
— Conor Kenny (@conorfkenny) June 23, 2026
The bill is expected to pass the House and be signed into law by the President.✍️ pic.twitter.com/4nAWnXnNGZ
Senate Housing Bill Carries Major CBDC Restriction
The inclusion of a CBDC ban in a housing affordability bill has drawn attention from both lawmakers and the digital asset industry. Under the legislation, the Federal Reserve and Federal Reserve banks would be prohibited from issuing or creating a central bank digital currency, either directly or indirectly through financial institutions or other intermediaries.
The bill specifically states that “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 that is substantially similar to a central bank digital currency directly or indirectly through a financial institution or other intermediary.“
If enacted into law, the restriction would remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2030.
Growing Opposition to a Digital Dollar
Republican lawmakers have long argued that a government issued digital currency could expand federal oversight of financial transactions and create potential privacy risks for Americans.
The latest Senate vote reflects a broader political effort to prevent the United States from moving toward a CBDC model similar to those being explored in other parts of the world.
The European Central Bank continues to develop a digital euro, with pilot programs expected before a planned launch later in the decade. China has also spent years developing and testing its digital yuan through the People’s Bank of China.
Supporters of the Senate provision argue that preventing a U.S. CBDC protects financial privacy and limits government involvement in personal transactions.
Trump Administration Maintains Anti CBDC Position
The legislation aligns closely with the position already adopted by the Trump administration.
In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order prohibiting federal agencies from advancing plans related to a central bank digital currency. At the time, Trump said a CBDC could “threaten the stability of the financial system, individual privacy, and the sovereignty of the United States.“
More recently, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced that position, stating that CBDCs are clearly “off the table” while the administration focuses on broader digital asset legislation.
The Senate vote also comes amid ongoing congressional efforts to advance standalone anti CBDC legislation, including the No CBDC Act, formally introduced as S.464 during the 119th Congress.
Housing Reform Remains the Bill’s Core Focus
Although the CBDC provision has generated significant attention, the legislation remains primarily a housing reform package.
Lawmakers say the bill is designed to increase housing construction, improve affordability, and reduce barriers that contribute to housing shortages across the country. The measure also seeks to prevent large corporate landlords from exerting excessive influence over local housing markets.
Following the Senate vote, House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill highlighted the bill’s housing objectives, stating:
House leaders are expected to move quickly on the legislation when lawmakers return from recess.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience, the CBDC provision may end up generating as much attention as the housing reforms themselves. While the United States was never actively pursuing a digital dollar rollout, Congress is now moving beyond political rhetoric and putting legal barriers in place.
I found this significant because it signals that opposition to CBDCs has evolved into a formal legislative priority. If the bill becomes law, it could shape the direction of U.S. digital asset policy for years and make any future CBDC effort far more difficult to launch.
