House clears HB 1664, setting Commerce Department as lead federal blockchain coordinator
The House passed HB 1664 on June 26, which designates the Secretary of Commerce as the President’s principal advisor on matters involving distributed-ledger technology
The measure, introduced by Rep. Kat Cammack and co-sponsored by Rep. Darren Soto, passed by voice vote under suspension of the rules on June 26, according to the chamber’s floor summary.
The Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025 now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Lead blockchain coordinator
The bill requires the department to launch a Blockchain Deployment Program that will develop policy recommendations, promote interoperability standards, and study federal agency use cases for on-chain systems.
Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must convene advisory committees that draw from federal agencies, technology vendors, academic institutions, cybersecurity specialists, rural stakeholders, and the creator community.
Participation will inform best-practice frameworks that cover decentralized identity, key management safeguards, supply chain applications, and fraud mitigation techniques. Commerce must also develop standardized terminology so that agencies and industry rely on a common lexicon.
The legislation instructs Commerce to examine how existing federal systems can benefit from tokenization, identify security upgrades needed to protect critical infrastructure and coordinate government responses to distributed ledger threats.
It bars the department from compelling private companies to share data or adopt agency recommendations, preserving voluntary industry engagement. The Blockchain Deployment Program sunsets seven years after enactment unless reauthorized.
Bipartisan backing and Senate outlook
Cammack framed the bill as a competitiveness initiative that would “cement US leadership in blockchain innovation.” At the same time, Soto pointed to Florida’s emerging blockchain hub as evidence of domestic potential, according to a House press release.
Industry groups such as the Digital Chamber of Commerce endorsed the measure, saying it offers a clear federal landing zone for private-sector collaboration.
The act requires Commerce to publish a public report to Congress detailing program activities, emerging risks, and any statutory changes necessary to sustain US leadership in distributed ledger infrastructure two years after enactment and annually thereafter.
With House approval secured, HB 1664 now heads to the Senate, where a companion measure sponsored by Senators Bernie Moreno, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Tim Sheehy awaits scheduling.
Lawmakers will decide whether to advance or amend the House language before it can reach the President’s desk.
The post House clears HB 1664, setting Commerce Department as lead federal blockchain coordinator appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Filed under: Bitcoin - @ June 26, 2025 6:09 pm