The United States Senate has passed an amendment to the housing accessibility bill that prohibits the issuance of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) until the end of 2030. The document received broad support from both political parties.
This is reported by Business • Media
Restrictions on CBDC and Details of the Bill
According to the approved amendment, the Federal Reserve System (FRS) and regional banks are not permitted to issue a digital dollar or any similar digital assets until December 31, 2030. The ban applies to both direct and indirect issuance—through financial institutions or other intermediaries.
It is worth noting that these restrictions do not apply to digital assets in US dollars that are open and do not require special permission for use. Such instruments include stablecoins pegged to the national currency of the United States.
The decision was made by a significant majority—89 senators voted “in favor,” while 10 voted “against.”
Discussions and Criticism of the Digital Dollar Idea
Some American lawmakers oppose the implementation of a CBDC due to concerns about increased government control over citizens’ finances. In early March 2026, over 30 members of Congress urged the Senate to establish a permanent ban on the launch of a digital dollar.
“Americans deserve financial freedom, not money controlled by the government,” the statement, signed by Congressman Ralph Norman among others, reads.
Another congressman, Warren Davidson, believes that CBDCs could become tools for government entities to monitor the economic activities of the population. According to him, even regulated stablecoins could pose similar risks under certain conditions if used within strict programmed mechanisms.
Among the critics of the central bank digital currency is Ray Dalio, founder of the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates. He warns that such instruments could significantly expand the government’s capabilities to monitor financial transactions, block funds, and automatically apply tax measures.
Previously, Dalio has expressed the view that the first cryptocurrency—Bitcoin—will not be able to fully replace gold as a universal safe-haven asset.