Catenaa, Friday, August 22, 2025- A measure blocking central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) has been added to the US House’s must-pass defense spending legislation, sources said.
The provision, called the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, aims to prevent the Federal Reserve from issuing digital currency directly to individuals.
The legislation mirrors a standalone bill introduced earlier this year by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, which passed the full House 219-210.
Emmer and other Republicans have voiced concerns that CBDCs could enable government monitoring of financial transactions and limit politically unpopular activity.
Democrats, however, have criticized the measure, arguing it could stifle research and innovation in digital currencies.
CBDCs are digital forms of fiat money issued and regulated by central banks.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said a CBDC would not be issued without congressional approval. The addition of the anti-CBDC provision comes as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) moves through Congress.
The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the bill on September 2, with the House likely to follow shortly after.
