US Republicans Move to Permanently Ban Federal Reserve CBDC

House Republicans advanced an amendment to the '21st Century Housing Roadmap Act' that would permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) by removing a Senate-introduced sunset through 2030. Led by Rep. Tom Emmer, proponents argue a permanent ban prevents government surveillance and protects financial privacy. Market-wise, the move is seen as a positive for decentralized cryptocurrencies — notably Bitcoin and Ethereum — by eliminating a potential source of state-backed competition and reducing regulatory uncertainty for exchanges and wallets. The amendment still faces hurdles: it must pass the House, be reconciled with the Senate bill, and survive potential presidential veto, so the outcome and ultimate market impact remain uncertain.