Overview
Title
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to take actions necessary and appropriate to promote the competitiveness of the United States related to the deployment, use, application, and competitiveness of blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill tells the Secretary of Commerce to help the U.S. be a leader in using and making blockchain technology better by creating plans and asking experts for advice. The Secretary will also keep the President updated about blockchain and tell Congress each year how things are going.
Summary AI
H. R. 1664 directs the Secretary of Commerce to promote the competitiveness of the United States in blockchain and distributed ledger technology. It establishes the Secretary as the main advisor to the President on blockchain issues and mandates the creation of a Blockchain Deployment Program. The bill aims to support the U.S.'s leadership in blockchain by developing policies, recommendations, and best practices while engaging with stakeholders and considering national security. It requires annual reports to Congress on progress and any legislative recommendations.
Published
Keywords AI
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Bill Statistics
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Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The "Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025" seeks to enhance U.S. competitiveness in blockchain technology and distributed ledger systems. The bill mandates the Secretary of Commerce to spearhead efforts in promoting the deployment, use, and application of blockchain technologies, focusing on ensuring national and economic security. To achieve this, the Secretary will develop policies and recommendations, establish best practices, and create a Blockchain Deployment Program. Furthermore, the Secretary must report annually to Congress, outlining activities, recommendations for new legislation, and identifying emerging risks or trends.
Significant Issues
One notable issue is the complexity and ambiguity of definitions in Section 2. The terms used to define blockchain technology and its components might be confusing to stakeholders, causing potential misunderstandings. Moreover, the bill lacks explicit details regarding the program's funding within Section 3, which raises concerns about financial transparency and resource allocation. There is also an exclusion of non-Federal Government representatives in consultations, potentially limiting input from essential stakeholders. Additionally, the bill plans a termination of the Blockchain Deployment Program in seven years without outlining evaluation criteria, risking discontinuation without assessing its impacts adequately.
Impact on the Public
The bill could significantly affect the general public by setting the foundation for more widespread adoption of blockchain technologies, which offer benefits like enhanced security, transparency, and efficiency. Proper implementation and promotion might lead to economic growth and technological advancements. However, the lack of clear funding details and potential exclusions of certain stakeholders could lead to inefficiencies or hinder the program's success. The broad discretion granted to the Secretary in evaluating U.S. competitiveness may result in subjective decision-making, potentially affecting policy effectiveness and public confidence.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For the technology sector, this bill could drive innovation and business opportunities, enhancing global competitiveness. Firms involved in blockchain infrastructure, applications, or security might see increased government collaboration and opportunities. Conversely, these stakeholders might face challenges if complexities in definitions and administrative ambiguities persist.
State governments, tribes, and local authorities being categorized under "State" might encounter jurisdictional complexities or confusion regarding roles and responsibilities. Their exclusion from certain consultations might further marginalize their insights.
Non-Federal Government representatives, despite being stakeholders in blockchain's societal applications, are mostly excluded from formal participation, potentially limiting advocacy and specialized perspectives in policy formulation.
Overall, while the bill offers a framework to bolster blockchain technology in the U.S., its complexities and structural ambiguities require careful attention to ensure it positively impacts technological progress and economic development.
Issues
The complexity and ambiguous definitions in Section 2 may cause misunderstandings or misinterpretations relating to blockchain or distributed ledger technologies and how they are perceived or engaged with by various stakeholders, affecting clarity in legislative and regulatory activities.
Section 3 highlights the lack of specific funding details for the program, raising concerns about potential unallocated or unknown spending, which could lead to financial inefficiencies and ineffective resource allocation.
The omission of representatives from non-Federal Governments in the definition of 'covered nongovernmental representatives' (Section 2) may exclude significant stakeholders from contributing valuable insights and considerations, potentially impacting policy inclusivity and effectiveness.
The proposed termination of the Blockchain Deployment Program after seven years (Section 3(g)) does not specify evaluation criteria or continuance protocols, risking premature discontinuation without a comprehensive assessment of its benefits or effectiveness.
The requirement for an initial report to Congress not later than two years after enactment (Section 4) could be too delayed given rapid advancements in blockchain technology, potentially slowing legislative response to emerging technological trends and associated risks.
The document's frequent use of complex and lengthy phrases, particularly in Section 3, may obstruct comprehensibility and accessibility for stakeholders who need to understand the policy, potentially limiting engagement and compliance.
The Secretary is given significant discretion under Section 3 without clear metrics or methodologies to evaluate the U.S. competitiveness in blockchain technology, which could result in subjective assessments and ineffective strategies.
Section 3(b)(9) lacks specificity around the selection criteria for advisory committee members, opening possibilities for favoritism or bias in stakeholder representation.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill states that the official name for this legislation is the “Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025”.
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides definitions for key terms related to blockchain technology, such as "blockchain technology or other distributed ledger technology," "covered nongovernmental representatives," "Secretary," "State," "token," and "tokenization." These terms help clarify who is involved, what technologies are used, and how they work in the context of this legislation.
3. Department of commerce leadership on blockchain Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Department of Commerce will lead the country's efforts regarding blockchain by advising the President, promoting stability, and supporting best practices. They will involve various stakeholders, foster public and private collaboration, and consult regularly with industry experts to strengthen the U.S.'s global stance on blockchain technology.
4. Report to congress Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Secretary of Commerce is required to publish a yearly report, starting two years after the Act is passed, detailing their activities under the Act, suggesting new laws to boost the U.S.'s position in blockchain and related technologies, and identifying any new risks or trends in these areas.