Executive Order—Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account

March 25, 2025
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose. The continued use of paper-based payments by the Federal Government, including checks and money orders, flowing into and out of the United States General Fund, which might be thought of as America's bank account, imposes unnecessary costs; delays; and risks of fraud, lost payments, theft, and inefficiencies. Mail theft complaints have increased substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, Department of the Treasury checks are 16 times more likely to be reported lost or stolen, returned undeliverable, or altered than an electronic funds transfer (EFT). Maintaining the physical infrastructure and specialized technology for digitizing paper records cost the American taxpayer over $657 million in Fiscal Year 2024 alone.

This order promotes operational efficiency by mandating the transition to electronic payments for all Federal disbursements and receipts by digitizing payments to the extent permissible under applicable law (but not, for avoidance of doubt, to establish a Central Bank Digital Currency).

Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to defend against financial fraud and improper payments, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the security of Federal payments.

Sec. 3. Phase Out of Paper Check Disbursements and Receipts. (a) Effective September 30, 2025, and to the extent permitted by law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall cease issuing paper checks for all Federal disbursements inclusive of intragovernmental payments, benefits payments, vendor payments, and tax refunds, except as specified in section 4 of this order.

(b) All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall comply with this directive by transitioning to EFT methods, including direct deposit, prepaid card accounts, and other digital payment options, and take all steps necessary to enroll recipients in EFT payments, except as specified in section 4 of this order.

(c) As soon as practicable, and to the extent permitted by law, all payments made to the Federal Government shall be processed electronically, except as specified in section 4 of this order.

(d) The Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take appropriate action to eliminate the need for the Department of the Treasury's physical lockbox services and expedite requirements to receive the payment of Federal receipts, including fees, fines, loans, and taxes, through electronic means except as specified in section 4 of this order.

(e) The Secretary of the Treasury shall support agencies' transition to digital payment methods, including by providing access through the Department of the Treasury's centralized payment systems to:

(i) direct deposits;

(ii) debit and credit card payments;

(iii) digital wallets and real-time payment systems; and

(iv) other modern electronic payment options.

Sec. 4. Exceptions and Accommodations for the Phase Out of Paper Check Disbursements and Receipts. (a) The Secretary of the Treasury, shall review and, as appropriate, revise procedures for granting limited exceptions where electronic payment and collection methods are not feasible, including exceptions for:

(i) individuals who do not have access to banking services or electronic payment systems;

(ii) certain emergency payments where electronic disbursement would cause undue hardship, as contemplated in 31 C.F.R. Part 208;

(iii) national security- or law enforcement-related activities where non-EFT transactions are necessary or desirable; and

(iv) other circumstances as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, as reflected in regulations or other guidance.

(b) Individuals or entities qualifying for an exception under this section or other applicable law shall be provided alternative payment options.

Sec. 5. Implementation and Compliance of Electronic Transactions. (a) The Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the heads of agencies, shall develop and implement a comprehensive public awareness campaign to inform Federal payment recipients of the transition to electronic payments, including guidance on accessing and setting up digital payment options.

(b) Agencies shall coordinate with the Department of the Treasury to facilitate a smooth transition to digital payments, ensuring that affected individuals and entities receive adequate support.

(c) The Secretary of the Treasury shall work with financial institutions, consumer groups, and other stakeholders to address financial access for unbanked and underbanked populations.

(d) The Secretary of the Treasury and the heads of agencies shall take all necessary steps to protect classified information and systems, as well as personally identifiable information and tax return information, through the implementation of this order.

Sec. 6. Reporting Requirements. (a) The heads of agencies shall submit a compliance plan to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget within 90 days of the date of this order detailing their strategy for eliminating paper-based transactions.

(b) The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit an implementation report to the President through the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy within 180 days of the date of this order detailing progress on the matters set forth in this order.

Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any ot
her person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

The White House,

March 25, 2025.

Executive Order—Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account | The American Presidency Project

www.presidency.ucsb.edu

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

"This note is legal tender
for all debts, public and private"


Well folks, here it is. For all intents and purposes, President Trump essentially just took cash away and forced us onto digital
No one will be able to buy or sell without a number, whether bank account, credit/debit card, tax ID, etc.
It'll take some time for this to take effect everywhere, but some places already refuse to take cash now (like my landlord


I look for an EO on or going into effect October 1, 2025 for the US Treasury to stop printing and minting, and the Federal Reserve to only take in cash, and not send any out to the banks.



I guess if I want $35 in pennies on-hand, I better get them now

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Bet ATM-related business stocks take a hit. And any companies running armored vehicle services that don't do other security services.

The banks that still have teller lines will likely soon only have a teller position, and then finally, none at all.

If I had a job that was dependent upon cash, I'd start looking now.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Wonder when the EO comes out that stops all hard-copy government correspondence and directs that it's all email, secure message, and/or text only?
And ultimately, only in one's online government account messages?

Another nail in the coffin for USPS, other than for packages.

Bet there's an EO directing all tax returns must be digital starting in 2026, or maybe no tax returns starting in 2026 or 2027.


Wonder when (not if) using cash anywhere will be considered tax evasion, and investigated, etc. by those 87,000 IRS agents
Large enough cash (and digital) transactions are already reported.

and when (not if) cash will become contraband and possession of it will be prime facia evidence of intent and means to evade taxes? Much like possession of child pornography or some street drugs are contraband now, and prime facia evidence of having committed a crime(s)

 

[Tall Timbers]

Well folks, here it is. For all intents and purposes, President Trump essentially just took cash away and forced us onto digital

Not really. He's directing that for govmint payments and receipts. I actually thought that was already the case, but I guess it wasn't.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Not really. He's directing that for govmint payments and receipts. I actually thought that was already the case, but I guess it wasn't.

The IRS still takes cash, money orders, checks, and arms and legs (at least for the rest of this fiscal year). Starting next fiscal year, maybe they'll start taking heads

Ditto loan servicers on behalf of Department of Education.

And the municipal parking ramp I used recently, but only at one pay station. All the others were plastic only. But that's not Federal . . .

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Wonder when the EO comes out telling the states to do the same thing, or forfeit some Federal monies because they're being wasteful?

[stick emoji]

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Not really. He's directing that for govmint payments and receipts. I actually thought that was already the case, but I guess it wasn't.

The private sector will follow, and quickly. The government will likely "incentivize" the switch. When the FR stops sending cash out eventually, businesses won't be able to get cash needed to make change, so they'll end up forced into barter or digital.

 

[Tall Timbers]

RIght now the govmint sends me my tax refund electronically. I like that. It is secure and fast. I send in quarterly tax payments by check. Maybe I'll have to send those digitally in the future. I'll be putting a check in the mail to the govmint in a couple of weeks.

 

[Hol]

I look for an EO on or going into effect October 1, 2025 for the US Treasury to stop printing and minting, and the Federal Reserve to only take in cash, and not send any out to the banks.

We know the False Prophet will usher this in, maybe this is a beta test?

But, with this exception, we have a few years to go:
“Sec. 4. Exceptions and Accommodations for the Phase Out of Paper Check Disbursements and Receipts. (a) The Secretary of the Treasury, shall review and, as appropriate, revise procedures for granting limited exceptions where electronic payment and collection methods are not feasible, including exceptions for:”

 

[Tall Timbers]

We know the False Prophet will usher this in, maybe this is a beta test?

I think it is just a natural progression of our financial system. Transferring funds electronically is more safe and secure than writing checks, and is more easily traced than accepting cash payments. If a person makes a cash payment and either doesn't get a receipt or tosses out the receipt, there is no longer evidence on that person's part that they made the payment. With electronic transfers, a record exists on both ends of the transaction.

Many of the things that will become a part of the Beast system aren't a bad thing in and of themselves, they'll just be used by satan for his purposes when the time comes. To the extent that it is currently allowed while we still have restraint on evil, those things are being used for nefarious purposes even now.

The capability to go fully digital with payments has existed for a very long time now, so I wouldn't call it beta testing. We know that during the 2nd half of Tribulation the antichrist will decree that one can neither buy nor sell unless they've taken the mark. What we don't know is exactly what the financial system will look like in those very last days.

If the last days financial system is fully digital, I suspect there will be a lot of problems. When you consider all of the destruction as well as human deaths that will occur throughout those 7 years, it may just not be possible for all transactions to be digital. There may be a lot of "holes" in the antichrist's decrees insofar as being able to follow them. Still, we know for certain that all eyes will have the capability to see the death and decay of the two Witnesses in Jerusalem, so maybe global communications will survive... via satellite systems perchance?

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I think it is just a natural progression of our financial system. Transferring funds electronically is more safe and secure than writing checks, and is more easily traced than accepting cash payments. If a person makes a cash payment and either doesn't get a receipt or tosses out the receipt, there is no longer evidence on that person's part that they made the payment. With electronic transfers, a record exists on both ends of the transaction.

Many of the things that will become a part of the Beast system aren't a bad thing in and of themselves, they'll just be used by satan for his purposes when the time comes. To the extent that it is currently allowed while we still have restraint on evil, those things are being used for nefarious purposes even now.

The capability to go fully digital with payments has existed for a very long time now, so I wouldn't call it beta testing. We know that during the 2nd half of Tribulation the antichrist will decree that one can neither buy nor sell unless they've taken the mark. What we don't know is exactly what the financial system will look like in those very last days.

If the last days financial system is fully digital, I suspect there will be a lot of problems. When you consider all of the destruction as well as human deaths that will occur throughout those 7 years, it may just not be possible for all transactions to be digital. There may be a lot of "holes" in the antichrist's decrees insofar as being able to follow them. Still, we know for certain that all eyes will have the capability to see the death and decay of the two Witnesses in Jerusalem, so maybe global communications will survive... via satellite systems perchance?

Starlink . . .

 

[Tall Timbers]

Starlink . . .

There's a lot more than just Starlink going up. Starlink is the best known. I figure whatever is up there will probably be consolidated into one network sometime after the ac takes over. That'll create massive redundancy which will make for a very robust communications system.

 

[Margery]

The banking systems around the world are moving to digital.

There is no way they can oppose it. Too tempting to track and trace and tax the daylights out of their citizens. Even if they aren't intending to go that way, we know from the bible it's where we end up.

This fall in Europe, they are removing cash except in small transactions and moving to a CBDC or central bank digital currency, the digital Euro which won't even require a bank- just the person, their smartphone and their digital wallet.

Farewell To Cash: The European Union Announces What’s Coming Next | Forbes Luxembourg and that was a very soothing article written to calm the fears - the justifiable fears of track trace and tax.

This Executive Order is just the beginning - March 6 Trump already signed into law a Strategic BitCoin Reserve and US Digital Asset Stockpile.

Whether we call it a CBDC or split hairs and call it a Digital Asset, or digital currency, it's coming. It's not a digital Euro, but it will be a digital US dollar.

I think what happened when Trump took a look at the economic MESS that Biden left, he realized drastic times, drastic measures.

Without causing mass panic by making it clear - he rolled DOGE out FAST and set Elon Musk to cut spending ASAP. His Ex Orders on the digital currency front mean that the Govt is in charge of the money supply. They can magically increase or decrease it depending on the economic news of the day, week or month.

I think the economy is in far worse shape than even they expected, and they don't want to cause a massive bank failure and or runaway inflation on an already fragile world economy and domestic economy.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Maybe a reflection of the weakness of the economy, recent or potential future government lay-offs, or something going on in the private sector, fewer people are signing pledge/stewardship cards at church, which makes planning for next fiscal year more difficult. If donations, tithes, and offerings are the same as this year, then probably OK for next year's proposed budget. It's just that there seems to be a lot more uncertainty/concern over promising something and then something happens that makes keeping the promise impossible, and people don't want to let the church down. Pastor even said to simply promise to pray for the church on the card. I had never heard that before, but I think it's nice.

And that's here in Minnesota with what appears to be a pretty good economy (compared with a lot of other places in the US). Maybe people here are hearing/seeing what's going on elsewhere and are getting "concerned" or waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

[Margery]

Maybe a reflection of the weakness of the economy, recent or potential future government lay-offs, or something going on in the private sector, fewer people are signing pledge/stewardship cards at church, which makes planning for next fiscal year more difficult. If donations, tithes, and offerings are the same as this year, then probably OK for next year's proposed budget. It's just that there seems to be a lot more uncertainty/concern over promising something and then something happens that makes keeping the promise impossible, and people don't want to let the church down. Pastor even said to simply promise to pray for the church on the card. I had never heard that before, but I think it's nice.

And that's here in Minnesota with what appears to be a pretty good economy (compared with a lot of other places in the US). Maybe people here are hearing/seeing what's going on elsewhere and are getting "concerned" or waiting for the other shoe to drop.

You nailed something there. Uncertainty. I'm seeing it everywhere right now.

Uncertain times. Chaos. Seeing things that don't make sense. Trying to make sense of the firehose of news screaming for attention. Some things are important, some is just noise. How to filter it out.

It affects the economy, the news, our view of the world and it becomes hard to focus in on the Voice of the Lord, the Word of God in the storm that is screaming around us, grabbing at our attention.

The closer we get to the actual start point of the Tribulation, the noisier, more chaotic and uncertain things become.

That affects the economy, politics, the church, and people saved and unsaved are unsettled by it all.

We are out in a storm that Jesus will take us up and out of. It's pretty unsettling. The wind and the waves are getting so bad it looks like the boat might fail or at the very least, we are taking on a lot of water.

Things we use to do to brace for economic hardship, or political uncertainty (our plans b, c, and possibly d e and f ) aren't looking too good because usually you aren't facing all the things all at the same time. If one party wins an election and tanks the economy, the other will win the next time. If war happens in one area, usually it's localized. If economic failure happens in the Japanese banks or Silicon Valley, it seems to stay limited. If commercial real estate is tanking, then regular real estate still works. If stocks in Korea tank, the ones in New York stay solvent.



Look at this passage in Matthew for comfort in the storm we are in.

Jesus fed the 5000. He made His disciples get into a boat to cross over the Sea of Galilee right into the path of a storm. And He wasn't with them. He was off praying. The boat is in the storm, and between 3 am and 6 am in the night (the 4rth watch, before sunrise!)

-sort of a picture of us now at that last bit before the Rapture don't you think.

Jesus goes to them walking on the water. The sea is a typological picture of the nations, tossing like waves in a storm. Jesus isn't fazed by all the stuff. He's walking above it. They are terrified. It's between 3 am and 6 am, quite dark, stormy and here's a being walking towards them. Jesus is on land praying or so they think.

When Jesus says It is I- the actual words are I AM! The Great I AM is with us, even to the end of the age. Even as we feel the edges of the storms that are beginning to circle around us preparing for the Tribulation period.

Even if we manage to keep our eyes on the Lord, somehow those winds and waves grab our attention and we begin to sink.

But the Lord is always there to grab us by the hand, and pull us up out of the turmoil.

Matt 14: 22-33
22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.


27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

I think as we get closer to the Rapture, (and the Tribulation is a hop skip and a jump away from the Rapture) then we are bound to see things start to slide into chaos. And we are.

Know that if the Tribulation is close- Jesus and our Redemption is even closer.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

You nailed something there. Uncertainty. I'm seeing it everywhere right now.

Uncertain times. Chaos. Seeing things that don't make sense. Trying to make sense of the firehose of news screaming for attention. Some things are important, some is just noise. How to filter it out.

It affects the economy, the news, our view of the world and it becomes hard to focus in on the Voice of the Lord, the Word of God in the storm that is screaming around us, grabbing at our attention.

The closer we get to the actual start point of the Tribulation, the noisier, more chaotic and uncertain things become.

That affects the economy, politics, the church, and people saved and unsaved are unsettled by it all.

We are out in a storm that Jesus will take us up and out of. It's pretty unsettling. The wind and the waves are getting so bad it looks like the boat might fail or at the very least, we are taking on a lot of water.

Things we use to do to brace for economic hardship, or political uncertainty (our plans b, c, and possibly d e and f ) aren't looking too good because usually you aren't facing all the things all at the same time. If one party wins an election and tanks the economy, the other will win the next time. If war happens in one area, usually it's localized. If economic failure happens in the Japanese banks or Silicon Valley, it seems to stay limited. If commercial real estate is tanking, then regular real estate still works. If stocks in Korea tank, the ones in New York stay solvent.

Maybe the uncertainty in this particular church is partly due to not being pre-trib (although doctrinally very conservative and anticipating The Second Coming at any moment).
Maybe anticipating hard persecution and trying to prepare
Maybe the socio-economic status of many of the parishioners, who are generally fiscally responsible and generous to the church, and for whom a potential not-experienced-before downward financial change is scary in practical sorts of ways.

Maybe the deadline needs to be after April 15th so procrastinators can give an accurate figure
(I think I'll suggest this).

Maybe some are considering leaving for a Baptist, non-denominational, and/or Lutheran Brethren churches since prophetic signs so plain and so many pre-Trib books, websites, podcasts, and UTubes, and don't want to avoidably hurt the church

 

[Andiamo]

RIght now the govmint sends me my tax refund electronically. I like that. It is secure and fast. I send in quarterly tax payments by check. Maybe I'll have to send those digitally in the future. I'll be putting a check in the mail to the govmint in a couple of weeks.

I do our quarterlies online and it’s super easy. Personally I am very nervous about mailing a check to anyone. So easy for them to wash it and put their name on and change the amount. It happened to me and It was nerve wracking going thru the fraud Dept and police and stuff. I also keep the balances lowish especially if there is a saving account attached to the checking account.

 

[Tall Timbers]

Personally I am very nervous about mailing a check to anyone

Me too. Seems like an envelope addressed to irs or us treasury would be a prime target for thieves. I've been fortunate so far.

I didn't know there was a way to do quarterlies online.

 

[TCC]

I think this is really interesting discussions here under this report. There are things occuring with this administration that are good, great, and sometimes not so good, and maybe even bad. Personally, I am still trying to make the best sense of the CDC choice. On one hand I know stuff has her name on it and it was not her department. However there are other linkages that concern. Inevitably perhaps this is a good example of how to view our day. Trump admin will bring in many good things with almost very primed ingredients for "the day after" -- I.e. the tribulation. Maybe that is the way to understand some things. I don't know. Still working on it.

But this thread is a really helpful case study if you will of some major concerns I have with the evangelical mindset. On a graduated scale, here are some of the labels of concern I would have:

1. It is understood we will be excited--but that excitement could override what is actually going on...now
2. It is a great heart the church is awake enough to notice prophetic winds
3. It is grounding to keep watch of things that happen that may tend to distort things and torture them into the tribulation age

On that last point, I am glad to see both viewpoints shared on this thread. That there are concerns of the direction of things prophetically. And that there are viewpoints that share how things that change can be helpful to us now. My concern is that if by the church being awake means we can't truly enjoy the present under His reign, it mitigates somewhat away from the will of God to a full throated thankful existence. And tends to trade it for, what for some can amount to, a state of alarm. I know the hour is closer, but think what it would be like being a young child in 1935. And if at the age of 5 we learned that we were getting social security numbers. And how this will become the mark of the beast. And we spent all our lives with that stress. Meanwhile, it is a system some countries don't have that is a way to receive payment in our old age. Had we spent all those days ringing our hands waiting for the next shoe to drop, that may not have been the healthiest use of 90+ years of life spent. Nor perhaps a wise heart unto Him.

4. To be awake and watching should not be an exercise in over exaggeration -- yet I think we are all aware this is a major issue in the watcher world
5. To be watchful should not aid and abett emotional tendencies to overly focus on the negative potential use of something in the future and believe this is wisdom
6. It could in fact almost become a form and mental and spiritual terrorism within the church--where I have seen some imply if we don't see it thier way...we are deceived.

And all of this against the backdrop of "we are still here," and "it is still the age of grace." Should prophecy notice condition us to translate everything present into its worst possible outcome later on? Would we have trained our children to go out into the world with such mindsets, though? But this is kind of the condition it would seem we are trending to socialogically construct for the church.

In some ways the concern here is that we don't be duped. The overarching fear of how deceived they are toward us is a mindset against Proverbs 15:15. And closer to certain mental disorders classified in the range of paranoia -- serving mankind as an angel of light. Is this why God gave us prophecy though? If the church trends to turn what is useful or even helpful now into the beast system, the beast system, the beast system...there is a danger I believe in that to have equated our thoughts upon something to the very practice of what it is to just simply "believe."

. . . . .

The biggest concern I would have with bringing the tribulation early and making it almost the most profound thought of the day is the tendency that approach to life can have on missing what may actually be going on today. If we dismiss the reality that America has been taken over by globalism and God permits some measure of push back against it, and the main thing we see in that is the beast system, to me, that would be similar to missing why God laid out the 10 commandments and the laws of Moses. To show people how sinful they were. And how they need a savior. So today, if we miss that God in some fashion is using American government to fight against globalist takeover, and in the process show us how bad it is and use newly fashioned tools to fight against further globalist takeover to demonstrate where we are in the cycle of thing today...and instead what we mostly see is all things beast system...I think we can end up missing the thing we might be overreaching for. Good hermeneutics by which to understand how the Father is working in end times. And possibly settling for a turncated comfort as far more easily manageable systems of our own thoughts upon the matter. Reducing the import of prophecy to what we can place in a box and see things like. Which could tend to make what we see in our own thoughts exalted above a far riskier business of trusting what the living God of salvation is actually doing literally right in front of us today. And this has been a general concern I have seen creep up in the church over time.

But I think what is going on with the Treasury is pretty much ways to track rogue criminal globalist spending. And that is a good thing. It is understandable to miss such things though. Like what John Macarthur did is just rack up all the state of affairs of America as God will judge her per Romans 1. Having no mind at all in why America is experiencing what it is as globalism tries to rule the world through a perverting of America. Like as prophet like as John was trying to be there...he kind of missed how we got here, and that there are things we can do to change that. In particular one of those things will likely be God Himself. But John, being prophetic, could not see the reason for the condition beyond just the generic evil heart in man. And why me thinks John's cessationist prophecy of America being doomed in her state won't become true. Because the writing on the wall I see (which still could be in error but certainly has made radically significant noise till now), is that God quite possibly could be pulling the curtain on the NWO. A thought perhaps anathema to the church. Fortunately, God does whatever He wants anyways. Just saying. Blessings.