Statement by NEC Director Brian Deese and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Digital Assets Framework

At the direction of President Biden and after 180 days of determined work across the Biden-Harris administration, we are releasing the first-ever comprehensive federal digital assets framework – positioning us to keep playing a leading role in the innovation and governance of the digital assets ecosystem at home and abroad and in a way that protects consumers, is consistent with our democratic values, and advances U.S. global competitiveness.

First, consistent with the President's directive to place the "highest urgency" on research and development of a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC), the Administration encourages the Federal Reserve to continue its research and experimentation. We will also launch an interagency working group to support Federal Reserve efforts by the considering policy implications of a potential CBDC, especially for our national security. The leadership of the Federal Reserve, the National Economic Council, the National Security Council, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Treasury Department, and other agencies as appropriate, will meet regularly to discuss updates and progress. Second, the Administration will execute a comprehensive action plan with priority steps to mitigate key risks of cryptocurrencies—among others, money laundering and financing for terrorism. Agencies have developed recommendations to improve our ability to track, trace, and counter illicit cryptocurrency use, and urge further steps to redouble U.S. sanctions enforcement. Third, the reports propose critical measures to protect consumers, investors, and businesses—a top priority for President Biden. The reports encourage regulators, as they deem appropriate, to scale up investigations into digital asset market misconduct, redouble their enforcement efforts, and strengthen interagency coordination. To accomplish all the above steps, the reports call for continued engagement with allies and partners on these issues, which will reinforce U.S. technological and financial leadership globally.

Together, we are laying the groundwork for a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to mitigating digital assets' acute risks and—where proven—harnessing their benefits. We remain committed to working with allies, partners, and the broader digital asset community to shape the future of this ecosystem.