In a landmark week for crypto legislation, the US House of Representatives moved forward on three major crypto bills after resolving a record-breaking nine-hour procedural vote. The lengthy delay was triggered by a group of Republican hardliners who refused to support the vote unless they were guaranteed a ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
The standoff became the longest open vote in House history, surpassing a previous record from earlier this month. It eventually ended late on Wednesday with a narrow 217–212 vote in favour of proceeding.
The CBDC Dispute
At the centre of the dispute was the fear among certain Republicans that one of the proposed bills the GENIUS Act, aimed at regulating stablecoins might indirectly allow for the creation of a US CBDC.
Representative Keith Self, one of the holdouts who eventually changed his vote, had earlier warned that the GENIUS Act “will allow a back door to a CBDC.” Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene broke ranks and was the only Republican to vote with Democrats in opposing the measure outright.
However, the final language of the GENIUS Act includes a clause stating that it should not be interpreted as giving the Federal Reserve new authority to offer services directly to the public, a move intended to assure critics that it won’t be used to launch a CBDC.
Deal-Making to Move Forward
To break the deadlock, Republican leaders struck a deal: rather than attaching a CBDC ban directly to the GENIUS Act, they promised to include it in a more widely supported, must-pass piece of legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This defence spending bill passes every year and is now seen as the new vehicle for the proposed CBDC ban.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirmed the arrangement on Wednesday, explaining that this compromise helped unlock the stalled vote. Representative Tim Burchett, another Republican who had initially voted against moving the bills forward, acknowledged in a video that this strategy was part of the negotiation.
What’s Next for the Crypto Bills
The House has dubbed this moment “Crypto Week” as it moves towards passing three major bills:
- CLARITY Act – Establishes clearer rules for crypto markets and aims to provide legal certainty for digital asset firms.
- Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act – Seeks to formally ban the development of any government-backed CBDC in the US.
- GENIUS Act – Aims to regulate stablecoins and ensure safeguards for both innovation and financial stability.
The House plans to vote on the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act separately. According to Scalise, these votes could happen as soon as Thursday, although Speaker Mike Johnson hinted that some may be delayed to Friday or the following week, depending on ongoing discussions.
President Donald Trump has shown strong support for the GENIUS Act and is reportedly eager to sign it into law by the weekend, if it passes.
A Divided Path to Progress
The episode highlights the growing divide within the Republican party on how to approach digital currency policy. While many Republicans strongly oppose CBDCs, often citing privacy and surveillance concerns, others are focused on pushing crypto innovation and clear market structure.
The compromise to place the CBDC ban within the NDAA signals a willingness by House leadership to appease both factions, while also moving ahead with broader crypto regulation. It also underscores the rising influence of crypto policy in Washington, as debates over financial freedom, privacy, and innovation continue to escalate.
After one of the most unusual and prolonged voting standoffs in congressional history, the House has cleared the path for significant crypto legislation. Though challenges remain, particularly in securing Senate approval, the decision to move forward with these bills, while delaying the CBDC debate to a defence bill, may prove to be a defining moment for digital asset regulation in the United States.
