U.S. Congress passes housing bill with CBDC ban until 2030

The U.S. House and Senate have reached a bipartisan agreement on the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a comprehensive housing reform package aimed at expanding the supply of affordable homes. The legislation eases federal regulations, encourages state and local land‑use reforms, and includes a provision that limits institutional investors from purchasing existing single‑family homes.

A notable feature of the bill is a prohibition on the Federal Reserve from issuing or creating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) or any substantially similar digital asset until Dec. 31, 2030. The restriction contains a carve‑out for open, permissionless, dollar‑denominated stablecoins. The CBDC language revives language from Rep. Tom Emmer’s earlier Anti‑CBDC Surveillance State Act and follows President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order barring federal agencies from CBDC work.

Key lawmakers cited include Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. The Senate has added amendments that now move the bill back to the House for a vote expected after the June recess. The deal is seen as a legislative win ahead of the midterm elections and could free Congress to focus on other crypto‑related measures such as the CLARITY Act.