23 May 2022

U.S. Department of Commerce solicits public comments on digital asset technologies framework

The U.S. Department of Commerce is seeking comments from the public to inform its development of a framework for enhancing U.S. competitiveness in and leveraging digital asset technologies. This framework is mandated by the Biden Administration’s March 9, 2022 Executive Order, “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets,” and provides a unique opportunity for industry to provide input to the framework that Commerce is developing in collaboration with other U.S. federal agencies.

   

The U.S. Department of Commerce (”Commerce”) has issued a notice and request for comment on developing a framework for leveraging and enhancing U.S. competitiveness in digital asset technologies (which include cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies, among others) as mandated by the Biden Administration’s March 9, 2022 Executive Order. The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and heads of other relevant agencies to establish a framework that will complement U.S. engagement in international fora, such as the Group of 7, Group of 20, the Financial Action Task Force and the Financial Stability Board, to elevate the importance of responsible development of digital asset technologies. The Executive Order instructs that Commerce release the framework by September 5, 2022. 

The notice seeks comment from industry on matters relevant to the Commerce’s development of the framework and invites responses to seventeen (17) specific questions, including the following examples:

Next steps