U.S. House Adds Anti-CBDC Provision to Defense Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has included an “Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act” in the National Defense Authorization Act on August 22, 2025, preventing the Federal Reserve from issuing CBDCs to individuals.

This legislation aligns with privacy concerns regarding state surveillance but currently shows no immediate impact on major cryptocurrencies like ETH or BTC.

House Votes 219-210 on Restrictive Anti-CBDC Measure

The Anti-CBDC provision, spearheaded by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, was added to the NDAA. Emmer’s initiative, predicated on privacy concerns, mirrored his past legislative efforts. The House vote passed Emmer’s bill with a tight margin of 219 to 210. This action consolidates the House’s stance on direct CBDC issuance, aligning with broader privacy concerns.

The stipulation in the NDAA prohibits direct CBDC issuance, altering future Federal Reserve activities. The Emmer-led legislation captures the growing sentiment against increased state surveillance potential through digital currencies.

The immediate market response was neutral, as the provision does not impact cryptocurrencies like ETH or BTC. Major crypto figures, including Tom Emmer, emphasized the relevance of protecting citizens’ financial privacy.

Global CBDC Developments and Potential Impacts on U.S. Policy

Did you know? Despite the introduction of an Anti-CBDC provision in the U.S., countries like China actively push ahead with their own CBDC programs, highlighting a potential divergence in monetary strategies.

According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum (ETH) is priced at $4,231.60 with a market cap of $510.79 billion as of August 22, 2025. Its daily trading volume was $34.40 billion, with the price reflecting a 2.23% decline over the past 24 hours. The circulation stands at 120.71 million ETH.

The Coincu research team forecasts regulatory discussions focusing on balancing privacy and sovereignty concerns. Continued legislative attention could shape CBDC approaches globally, potentially influencing financial frameworks and boosting sovereign digital currency efforts, particularly outside the U.S.