The House of Representatives recently passed HB 1664 on June 26, a significant milestone in the advancement of blockchain technology in the United States. The bill designates the Secretary of Commerce as the President’s principal advisor on matters involving distributed ledger technology, showcasing a commitment to embracing innovation and staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
Introduced by Rep. Kat Cammack and co-sponsored by Rep. Darren Soto, HB 1664 passed by voice vote under suspension of the rules, signaling bipartisan support for the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025. The bill is now set to move to the Senate for further consideration and potential approval.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a Blockchain Deployment Program within the Department of Commerce. This program will focus on developing policy recommendations, promoting interoperability standards, and studying federal agency use cases for on-chain systems. Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Commerce must convene advisory committees comprised of stakeholders from federal agencies, technology vendors, academic institutions, cybersecurity specialists, rural stakeholders, and the creator community. This collaborative approach aims to inform best practice frameworks covering various aspects of blockchain technology, such as decentralized identity, key management safeguards, supply chain applications, and fraud mitigation techniques.
Additionally, the legislation instructs the Department of Commerce to explore how existing federal systems can benefit from tokenization, identify security upgrades needed to protect critical infrastructure, and coordinate government responses to distributed ledger threats. Importantly, the bill emphasizes voluntary industry engagement and prohibits the department from compelling private companies to share data or adopt agency recommendations. The Blockchain Deployment Program is set to sunset seven years after enactment unless reauthorized by Congress.
The bipartisan support for HB 1664 underscores the importance of embracing blockchain innovation to maintain US leadership in the global technology landscape. Industry groups, such as the Digital Chamber of Commerce, have endorsed the measure, highlighting the clear federal landing zone it offers for private-sector collaboration.
Looking ahead, the Senate will now consider HB 1664, with a companion measure already sponsored by Senators Bernie Moreno, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Tim Sheehy awaiting scheduling. Lawmakers will have the opportunity to advance or amend the House language before the bill can reach the President’s desk for final approval.
As the US continues to position itself as a leader in blockchain technology, the passage of HB 1664 represents a significant step towards fostering innovation, collaboration, and competitiveness in the digital economy. Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of this groundbreaking legislation.