U.S. House Passes Crypto Rule, Paving Way for GENIUS, CLARITY, and Anti-CBDC Bills

The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly passed House Resolution 580 by a 217-212 vote, breaking a lengthy procedural deadlock and opening the way for final votes on three key pieces of crypto legislation.

The breakthrough came after eight conservative Republicans, who had initially opposed the resolution on Tuesday, reversed their stance. Their support was secured after House leadership agreed to include the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—a must-pass bill—ensuring the proposed restrictions on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) would advance.

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“Attaching our Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act to the NDAA will ensure unelected bureaucrats are NEVER allowed to trade Americans' financial privacy for a CCP-style surveillance tool,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) wrote on X.

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With the resolution now passed, the stage is set for floor votes on the GENIUS Act (focused on stablecoin regulation), the CLARITY Act (outlining digital asset market structure), and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. The move has sparked optimism in the crypto sector, which has long pushed for clearer regulatory frameworks.

“Regulatory uncertainty has been the single largest deterrent for major institutions,” said Steven Goldfeder, CEO of Offchain Labs, developer of Arbitrum. “A legislative framework finally signals to the market that this technology is here to stay, that it deserves real governance, and that participation can happen within a trusted structure.”

The turning point reportedly came after President Donald Trump personally intervened during last-minute talks, expressing support for the revised deal during a call with lawmakers in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, according to POLITICO.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) legislative schedule for Thursday listed the crypto bills as “Legislation Considered Pursuant to a Rule,” confirming that final votes will now proceed under the conditions approved by the newly passed procedural rule.

The GENIUS Act is expected to receive a floor vote as soon as Thursday and could potentially become the first comprehensive crypto bill ever signed into law. The CLARITY Act vote may follow early next week.

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“This is a significant win for the American people as a government-controlled digital currency poses a direct threat to financial privacy and economic freedom,” tweeted Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) on Wednesday.

While most Republicans rallied behind the new agreement, some dissent remained. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), defying pressure from within her party, held firm in her opposition. “I am NOT voting for the mark of the beast system. Totally happy and content being 1000% NO,” she posted on X.

On Tuesday, the House had initially rejected the rule by a 196–223 vote, with 12 Republicans defecting—citing concerns over the GENIUS Act’s ambiguity on CBDCs. In response, Trump summoned the dissenters to the White House and reportedly persuaded them to shift their votes.

Wednesday’s House proceedings were tense. The initial vote showed a 215–211 result in favor, but momentum stalled when the same group of Republicans who had changed their votes temporarily withdrew support and exited the floor, prompting extended negotiations with party leaders before the final vote passed.