Former CFTC chair Timothy Massad has highlighted the inevitability of a US central bank digital currency (CBDC) despite public opposition. Speaking at the Digital Money Summit in London on May 19, Massad revealed that while political discourse may suggest a ban, significant behind-the-scenes work is ongoing. He emphasized that public statements do not reflect the confidential planning for a digital dollar. Massad pointed to initiatives like Project Agora, involving the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which tests tokenized deposits and wholesale central bank money. This project indicates the technical groundwork being laid for a potential digital dollar. Despite political maneuvers, such as House Republicans' efforts to permanently ban a CBDC and a 2025 executive order from President Trump against its development, Massad warned that the US must remain engaged in international digital currency experiments to maintain influence over global standards.