The administration of the President of the United States Joe Biden continues to create a National Digital Assets Research and Development Agenda. In a request for information (RFI) dated January 26 and previewed by the Federal Register, the White Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) invites comments to help identify agenda priorities. Individuals and organizations can submit comments of no more than 10 pages by March 23.
The White House announced the creation of the agenda in September, after unveiling the “first-ever” Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets. The new agenda is part of crypto-related research activities initiated by the president’s executive order, “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets,” issued in March.
Related: Regulators and industry leaders react to Biden’s executive order on crypto
The RFI said the agenda seeks to “coordinate the efforts of all governments” to develop digital assets and distributed ledger technology. It is also described as a means to “continue to support research that translates technological breakthroughs into market-ready products” and “initiate basic research.” It states:
“Research and development (R&D) in this space is often conducted in a fragmented manner, with limited consideration for the wider implications, applications, and risks of the underlying innovation. […] A more comprehensive R&D approach will provide concrete focus areas to achieve a holistic vision of a digital asset ecosystem that embodies democratic values and other top priorities.
A blockchain specialist position was added to the OSTP with the passage of the Chips and Science Act in August. The office has researched and reported on the effects of digital assets on the environment as part of its mandate and prepared a survey of central bank digital currency design options as part of the ongoing and so far uncertain consideration of the US digital dollar.
1/ Some context points on the new White House Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Digital Asset Development released this morning. (I will share more later…) Policymaking is a process. It is complicated, slow, difficult work. But it is important. And it’s moving.
– Tomicah Tillemann (@TomicahTD) September 16, 2022
Reactions to Biden’s comprehensive framework ranged from tepid praise to disappointment.