The White House office’s call for information is the latest installment in President Biden’s huge study agenda on digital asset creation.

The government of US President Joe Biden is still developing the National Digital Assets Research and Development Agenda. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) invites comments on a request for information (RFI) dated January 26 and previewed by the Federal Register. Individuals and groups may submit up to ten pages of comments by March 23.

The White House announced the agenda in September after releasing the “first-ever” Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets. The new plan is part of a wave of crypto-related research activity sparked by the president’s executive order, “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets,” published in March.

According to the RFI, the agenda aimed to “form a whole-of-government effort” to create digital assets and distributed ledger technologies. It was also billed as a way to “continue to promote research that converts technology discoveries into market-ready goods” and “kickstart basic research.” It stated:

“Research and development (R&D) in this space has often been conducted in a fragmented manner, with limited consideration for the broader implications, applications, and downside risks for the underlying innovations. […] A more comprehensive R&D approach would provide concrete areas of focus towards achieving a holistic vision of a digital assets ecosystem that embodies democratic values and other key priorities.”

With the enactment of the Chips and Science Act in August, the OSTP gained a blockchain specialist job. As part of its purpose, the office has investigated and reported on the environmental consequences of digital assets and conducted a study of central bank digital currency design choices as part of the continuing and inconclusive examination of a US digital dollar.

1/ A few points of context on the new White House Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets that was released this morning. (I'll share more later…) Policymaking is a process. It's complicated, slow, difficult work. But it matters. And it's moving.

— Tomicah Tillemann 🇺🇦🇺🇲 (@TomicahTD) September 16, 2022

The response to Biden’s comprehensive approach ranged from lukewarm to downright disappointment.