Reserve

Jerome Powell

Chair

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper recently vetoed a bill that would have banned the state from using a digital currency issued by the US Federal Reserve. This decision came despite the bill getting almost unanimous support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with votes of 109–4 and 39–5 respectively. Cooper <a href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/07/05/governor-cooper-vetoes-two-bills" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">stated</a> on June 5 that the bill was “premature, vague, and reactionary,” and not ready to become law. He mentioned that the federal government is working on setting standards and safeguards for using digital assets. He suggested that North Carolina should wait to see the outcomes before taking any action. 
“Efforts are being made at the federal level to ensure standards and safeguards are in place to protect consumers, investors and businesses [using] digital assets and North Carolina should wait to see how they work before taking action” he explained in an earlier statement. 
According to news sources, the state’s legislators could override the North Carolina CBDC ban veto since the bill had strong support in both chambers, needing only a three-fifths majority to pass without the Governor’s approval. Despite this, Cooper’s decision has been met with significant criticism for being politically motivated, especially since his opponent, Mark Robinson, supports the bill. Critics like Mitchell Askew from Blockware Solutions and a North Carolina native expressed disappointment, saying Cooper missed a chance to put aside political differences for the good of all North Carolinians. 
Further criticism came from Dan Spuller, head of industry affairs at the Blockchain Association, who saw the veto as a missed opportunity to show strong opposition to a central bank digital currency (CBDC). He <a href="https://x.com/danspuller/status/1809354220342026696?s=46&amp;t=ZhlAVW7YyE_ALnCEDoAz9g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">emphasized</a> that digital asset policies should reflect American values like privacy, sovereignty, and competitive free markets. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated at a Senate Banking Committee hearing that the US is still far from adopting a CBDC, highlighting ongoing national deliberations about the future of digital currencies. 
<figure id="attachment_19812" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19812" style="width: 100%" class="wp-caption alignnone">
 <img loading="lazy" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-19812 size-large" src="https://thebitjournal.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG_1677-1-1024x492.jpeg" alt="North Carolina CBDC Ban" width="1024" height="492" title="Governor Roy Cooper Vetoes North Carolina CBDC Ban Bill, Describes It As Premature 26">
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 North Carolina CBDC Ban
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<h2 id="b-north-carolina-cbdc-ban-reaction-and-implications-for-north-carolina-b">North Carolina CBDC Ban: Reaction and Implications for North Carolina</h2> 
The reaction to the veto has been mixed. Supporters of the bill have expressed frustration, viewing the Governor’s decision as a setback for state autonomy over financial matters. Mitchell Askew, a leading analyst from Blockware Solutions and a North Carolina native, criticized Cooper for not putting “partisan politics aside” to support a law that would have benefited all North Carolinians.&nbsp; 
“The veto from Governor Cooper was not representative of the desires of North Carolinians,” Askew said. “He vetoed only because his opponent Mark Robinson favoured the bill. It’s clear who the pro-Bitcoin and pro-freedom candidate is here.” 
On the other hand, opponents of the bill have praised the governor for his foresight and caution, arguing that a ban on CBDCs might isolate the state from potential technological advancements and economic opportunities. 
The North Carolina CBDC ban controversy also reflects broader national and global discussions about digital currencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), which continue to gain traction in various financial markets. These digital assets represent a shift towards more decentralized and potentially more democratic financial systems. The debate in North Carolina mirrors a global conversation about the balance between regulation and innovation in the era of digital finance.&nbsp; 
As the dust settles on this veto, it remains to be seen how North Carolina will navigate the evolving landscape of digital currencies. The decision by Governor Cooper might not be the end of the road for this legislation. Given the strong support in the legislature, there is a possibility that the bill could be revisited and potentially passed over the Governor’s veto with a sufficient majority. This ongoing saga highlights the complexities and significant interests at play as governments worldwide grapple with the rise of digital currencies and their implications for economic policy, privacy, and sovereignty. 
Stay in touch with <a href="http://thebitjournal.com/">The BIT Journal</a> for wider coverage of the North Carolina CBDC Ban Bill and other trending crypto stories.&nbsp;

Governor Roy Cooper Vetoes North Carolina CBDC Ban Bill, Describes It As Premature

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