I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6938 
To require the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission 
to conduct a study on blockchain technology, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 19, 2020 
Mr. GUTHRIE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on 
Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee con-
cerned 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade 
Commission to conduct a study on blockchain technology, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Advancing Blockchain 
Act’’. 
SEC. 2. BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
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(1) STUDY REQUIRED.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commis-
sion, in coordination with the head of any other ap-
propriate Federal agency, shall conduct a study on 
the impact of blockchain technology on United 
States businesses conducting interstate commerce. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS
FOR
STUDY.—In con-
ducting the study, the Secretary and the Commis-
sion shall do the following: 
(A) Conduct a survey on blockchain tech-
nology through outreach to participating enti-
ties to— 
(i) establish a list of the industry sec-
tors that develop and use blockchain tech-
nology; 
(ii) establish a list of public-private 
partnerships focused on promoting the 
adoption, and use of blockchain technology; 
(iii) provide a description of the ways 
industry sectors develop, use, or promote 
the use of blockchain technology; 
(iv) provide a description of the ad-
vantages or disadvantages of the wide-
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spread adoption of blockchain technology; 
and 
(v) consider how blockchain tech-
nology may be used to— 
(I) increase market competition 
in each of the industry sectors identi-
fied under clause (i); 
(II) increase individual’s data 
privacy and enhance data security; 
(III) better protect individual’s 
identity; 
(IV) 
better 
secure 
monetary 
transactions; and 
(V) any other use that may ben-
efit society. 
(B) Conduct a survey of Federal activity 
related to blockchain technology to— 
(i) establish a comprehensive list of 
Federal agencies asserting jurisdiction over 
entities and industry sectors identified 
under subparagraph (A)(i); 
(ii) identify all interagency activities 
related to blockchain technology; 
(iii) develop a brief description of the 
jurisdiction and expertise of the Federal 
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agencies as it relates to blockchain tech-
nology; and 
(iv) identify each Federal rule, regula-
tion, guideline, policy, and other Federal 
activity implemented by each Federal agen-
cy related to blockchain. 
(C) Conduct an international survey of 
other countries to establish a compendium at 
least 10 and not more than 15 countries con-
sisting of each country’s national strategy on 
blockchain technology to determine where the 
United States ranks with respect to the adop-
tion of blockchain technology. 
(D) Conduct a survey of the marketplace 
and supply chain of blockchain to— 
(i) assess the severity of risks posed 
to such marketplace and supply chain; 
(ii) review the ability of foreign gov-
ernments or third parties to exploit such 
supply chain in a manner that raises risks 
to the economic and national security of 
the United States; and 
(iii) identify emerging risks and long- 
term trends in such marketplace and sup-
ply chain. 
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(b) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later than 6 
months after the completion of the study required pursu-
ant to subsection (a), the Secretary and the Commission, 
in coordination with the head of any other appropriate 
Federal agency, shall submit to the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate a report that contains— 
(1) the results of the study conducted under 
subsection (a); and 
(2) recommendations to— 
(A) address any duplicative Federal rule, 
regulation, guideline, and other Federal activity 
acting as a barrier to the adoption of 
blockchain technology; 
(B) develop and implement a comprehen-
sive plan to promote the growth of the adoption 
of blockchain technology; 
(C) develop policies that States can adopt 
to encourage the adoption of blockchain; 
(D) develop a national strategy to advance 
the position in the world of business sectors in 
the United States on the adoption of blockchain 
technology; 
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(E) develop strategies to mitigate current 
and emerging risks to the marketplace and sup-
ply chain of blockchain; and 
(F) develop legislation to accomplish such 
recommendations. 
Æ 
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