TLDR
- The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act took effect on July 11 despite President Trump declining to sign it
- The legislation prohibits the Federal Reserve from launching a CBDC through December 31, 2030
- Trump withheld his signature as leverage to push Congress toward passing the SAVE America Act
- The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan approval: 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House
- Concerns are emerging about whether other crypto-related legislation might encounter similar obstacles
America now has legislation prohibiting central bank digital currencies, and it took effect without any presidential signature.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act officially became law on Saturday, July 11, following President Donald Trump’s decision to allow the constitutionally mandated 10-day window to expire without either signing or rejecting it.
Trump telegraphed his intentions on Friday morning through a Truth Social statement, announcing he would withhold his signature from the housing legislation as a form of protest against the Senate’s inaction on the SAVE America Act, legislation designed to mandate citizenship verification for voter registration.
“I will not sign the Housing Bill,” Trump declared, describing Republicans who supported it as “dumb.”
According to the US Constitution, a president has three options when presented with legislation: approve it, veto it, or take no action. When 10 days elapse ā Sundays excluded ā without presidential intervention, the measure automatically gains legal force.
What the CBDC Ban Actually Says
Nestled within the housing legislation is a critical provision that prevents the Federal Reserve from launching or developing a CBDC, or any comparable digital asset, before December 31, 2030.
While the Federal Reserve had previously stated it wouldn’t launch a CBDC without congressional authorization, this new legislation codifies that restriction, creating a formal legal barrier for the next four years.
The housing measure enjoyed strong bipartisan backing. It secured passage in the Senate with an 85-5 vote and sailed through the House 358-32 last month. Political observers characterized the CBDC prohibition as a strategic addition intended to attract Republican support.
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a co-sponsor of the legislation, addressed Trump’s refusal to sign. “He’s refusing to sign the biggest housing bill in 30 years,” she stated. “The good news: it’s going to become law anyway.”
What This Means for Crypto Regulation
Trump’s passive approach has sparked uncertainty regarding other digital asset bills currently progressing through Congress.
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, commonly called the CLARITY Act, has secured House approval and advanced through two Senate committees. Republican leadership had anticipated a complete Senate floor vote during July.
However, Trump’s unwillingness to engage with legislation disconnected from his immediate agenda has generated anxiety about whether the CLARITY Act might encounter comparable delays.
Trump’s personal connections to the cryptocurrency sector add additional complexity. He disclosed generating over $1.4 billion from crypto-related activities in 2025, including memecoin investments and his family’s World Liberty Financial initiative.
The CBDC prohibition has officially entered the statute books. Whether the comprehensive crypto market structure legislation can navigate to completion without facing a similar impasse remains uncertain.
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