TLDR
- Senators approved the 21st Century Road to Housing Act by an 89-10 margin, which includes a provision banning CBDCs.
- The provision prevents the Federal Reserve from launching a central bank digital currency through December 31, 2030.
- Private digital currencies, including stablecoins that are permissionless and dollar-backed, remain unaffected by this legislation.
- The legislation’s future in the House remains uncertain as representatives may challenge certain provisions.
- Trump’s position on signing legislation before voter-ID laws pass creates additional complications for the bill’s passage.
On Thursday, the United States Senate approved housing legislation that contains a provision temporarily preventing the Federal Reserve from 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 approval with 89 senators voting in favor and just 10 opposing. Hidden within the final sections of this 302-page document is a provision that blocks the Federal Reserve from launching a CBDC—or any comparable digital asset—before 2030 ends.
The prohibition covers both direct Federal Reserve action and any efforts conducted through financial institutions or third-party intermediaries.
Stablecoin projects face no restrictions from this legislation. Dollar-backed digital currencies operating as private, open, and permissionless systems can continue operating without impediment.
Both Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and President Donald Trump have expressed support for stablecoins as tools to strengthen the dollar’s international presence. Republicans, including Trump, have maintained firm opposition to CBDCs.
Why Lawmakers Want a CBDC Ban
Over 30 members of Congress signed correspondence dated March 6 requesting that senators establish a permanent rather than time-limited prohibition. Representative Ralph Norman, among those who signed, stated that a CBDC would grant “unelected bureaucrats unprecedented power over Americans’ finances.”
Prominent hedge fund manager Ray Dalio has similarly cautioned against CBDCs 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 to regulated stablecoins, suggesting surveillance vulnerabilities. Representative Warren Davidson has contended that the GENIUS Act, designed to regulate stablecoins, could enable financial monitoring through programmable currency features.
Cody Carbone, CEO of the Digital Chamber, praised the Senate’s action. “Financial privacy is a cornerstone of American freedom,” Carbone stated, emphasizing that American digital innovation “should be led by the private sector.”
The Road Ahead Is Not Clear
Significant obstacles remain for the legislation. House members have indicated potential resistance to the Senate’s version, especially regarding a section limiting property ownership by major investors like private equity companies.
Trump has declared he won’t approve any bills before Congress enacts voter-ID legislation. This requirement introduces additional uncertainty for the housing bill and other pending measures, including the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.
Federal CBDC development remains in the exploratory stage. Making such a prohibition official has been a priority for Republican legislators for considerable time.
