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CBDC – Central Bank Digital Currencies

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September 2021

How central banks are wielding blockchain in soft power competition

China’s crypto ban is part of a global battle over freedom and ideology, writes Michael B. Greenwald. How can the US lead the world in a different path?

Former US Treasury advisor predicts no ‘real action’ from Fed on CBDC

While a US digital dollar is stuck at pole position, China’s digital yuan is nearing the finish line. Michael B. Greenwald of Tiedemann Advisors explains why it matters to the future global economy.  

Bhutan to adopt Ripple’s XRP technology for CBDC pilot

Ripple’s win in Bhutan comes as it suffers a setback in a US court as judge rebuffs Ripple’s request for SEC’s internal trading decisions over XRP.

Reserve Bank of Australia posts CBDC job position

Amid the country’s ongoing Senate inquiry into crypto regulation, the Reserve Bank of Australia has posted a job advertisement for a position within its central bank digital currency research team. Fast facts A successful applicant would join a new cross-disciplinary team to research “whether there is a case for a CBDC in Australia, and if […]

What is the outlook for a US central bank digital currency?

It’s hard to move forward on a CBDC when those in charge can’t agree. Is time running out for an American digital dollar?

Imagining a global digital wallet and the future it can hold

As governments and citizens embrace digital currencies of all kinds, from Bitcoin to CBDCs, here’s what the world and daily life could look like.

BIS Innovation Hub, 4 central banks in CBDC test for cross-border transactions

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub together with the central banks of Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa today announced they will be collaborating to test the use of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) for international settlements. Fast facts According to a joint statement, the pilot is part of Project Dunbar, a wholesale […]

Jack Dorsey’s Bitcoin bourse. Are NFTs in bubble trouble? China banks on e-CNY.

Top blockchain and crypto news: Does TBD stand for Twitter Boss Decision? NFTs’ ballooning interest. How billions in e-yuan are coursing through China.

August 2021

Nigeria partners with Bitt Inc. to launch its own cryptocurrency, the eNaira

Nigeria, a country with one of the world’s highest cryptocurrency adoption rates, is moving ahead with its plan for a central bank digital currency pilot project called Project Giant. The Central Bank of Nigeria has selected Bitt Inc., a Barbados-based fintech startup, as its technical partner for the project, which is scheduled to launch on […]

Three state-owned banks in China release e-CNY usage data

Tens of billions in digital yuan circulate through the banks’ systems, as leaders encourage wider adoption.
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Singapore central bank announces 15 finalists for Global CBDC Challenge

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today announced 15 finalists for its “Global CBDC Challenge” — a competition to develop retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) solutions to improve payment services and promote financial inclusion. Fast facts According to MAS, the Global CBDC Challenge attracted over 300 submissions from more than 50 countries, with over […]

Digital yuan trials now looking like a ‘soft launch’ stage

China’s high penetration of smartphones, digital-savvy population helps reduce e-CNY testing time, observers say

Survey predicts crypto will rival or replace fiat within 10 years

Cryptocurrency and other digital assets are expected to rival or displace fiat currencies within the next decade, according to Deloitte’s 2021 Global Blockchain Survey. Fast facts More than three quarters of the 1,280 executives and practitioners surveyed by Deloitte, the global consulting, tax services and auditing firm, think that digital assets “will serve as a […]

Thailand publishes CBDC study results, pilot test to start in 2022

The Bank of Thailand today published the results of its retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) study and public survey, which the central bank says will guide the development of the country’s CBDC pilot test. Fast facts The Bank of Thailand underscored that a CBDC for the general public “must not adversely affect monetary policy […]

Samsung joins South Korean pilot to test CBDC on Galaxy smartphone

Samsung Electronics will participate in the Bank of Korea’s central bank digital currency pilot program to test the practicalities of digital currency remittances without internet availability, according to a report by the Korea Times. Fast facts An unnamed source familiar with the issue told the Korea Times: “Samsung Electronics has recently decided to participate in […]

Argentinian president tangos with Bitcoin despite central bank warning

Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez has indicated he is open to adopting Bitcoin as legal tender and a central bank digital currency, according to a media report yesterday, just two days after the head of the country’s central bank, Miguel Pesce, described cryptocurrencies as a threat to economic stability. Fast facts During an interview with media outlet Caja […]

Ghana central bank in CBDC tie-up with Germany’s Giesecke+Devrient

As African countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa continue to explore the feasibility of central bank digital currencies, the Bank of Ghana is set to launch a retail CBDC pilot project, the bank has announced. Fast facts For the pilot, the central bank has partnered with German firm Giesecke+Devrient, which will provide […]

Latest digital yuan trial launches with backing of JD.com, Bank of Communications

E-commerce company’s tie-up with government-owned lender suggests hybrid private-state future for central bank digital currency.

China’s central bank to accelerate digital yuan pilots for Winter Olympics

The Business Administration Department at China’s central bank has said it will push forward pilots of the e-CNY digital currency in the Winter Olympics area to cover all payment scenarios. Fast facts To promote the digital yuan for the Winter Games, two batches of e-CNY red packets were distributed in Beijing in February and June, totaling 50,000,000 yuan […]

Cambodian state digital currency sees strong uptake

Since its launch in October 2020, Cambodia’s central bank digital currency project, Bakong, has reached 5.9 million users across the country, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. Fast facts The figure includes users of member bank mobile apps, with the number of Bakong electronic wallet addresses doubling in June from three months before to […]

Venezuela launches CBDC amid runaway inflation and currency redenomination

In an effort to curb runaway inflation, Venezuela’s central bank is removing six zeros from its currency and putting a digital bolivar into circulation on Oct. 1, according to reporting by Bloomberg. Fast facts An example of a central bank digital currency, the digital bolivar was announced by the Venezuelan central bank’s Twitter account yesterday […]

Ethereum upgrade closely watched; India launches e-RUPI voucher

Ethereum upgrade closely watched also India launches e-RUPI voucher

Blockchain applications that will change the world in the next 5 years

The next half decade will see mass adoption of decentralized technology, writes Max Kordek of Lisk. Here are the leading uses.

Chinese central bank shows no sign of softening stance on crypto

People’s Bank of China vows to keep sector under ‘heavy pressure’ as it pushes digital yuan.

July 2021

Chinese electricity bills to become payable using digital yuan

A digital yuan wallet app launched by China’s central bank will include an electricity bill payment feature designed by the country’s State Grid, according to Economic Information Daily, a local financial media outlet.  Fast facts Users will be able to pay their electricity bills through the digital yuan app directly and do not need to […]

China Mobile discloses virtual currency system patent, joins e-CNY team

China’s largest telecommunications company, China Mobile, has disclosed a patent on a virtual currency management system that can prevent the theft of hot-wallet keys. Fast facts The system achieves theft-prevention by separating the hot-wallet server interacting directly with a public data server via a system wallet server. The patent disclosure shows that China Mobile filed […]

China’s digital yuan moves a step closer with smart-contract technology

Central bank in apparent push for adoption ahead of Olympics as it doubles up on warning over non-state cryptocurrencies.
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BIS: cooperation essential for CBDCs to improve cross-border payments

In a new report, BIS says countries must work together and design CBDCs with interoperability in mind. Hong Kong and Singapore lead mCBDC efforts.

Hong Kong CBDC project looks to commercialize for cross-border payments

Eddie Yue, CEO of Hong Kong Monetary Authority lays out the future of the territory’s digital currency at a Hong Kong Academy of Finance event.

June 2021

Chinese cities roll out digital yuan to public transport networks

Adoption of e-CNY for urban transport networks marks first step in wider introduction of state-backed digital money.

Special Series, Part 3: Digital dragons and digital dollars

In the last installment of a 3-part series on blockchain in Asia, Forkast.News examines: Everyone knows money has value. But does it also have ‘values’?
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Singapore central bank joins IMF, World Bank to push state digital currencies

The Monetary Authority of Singapore is inviting proposals for retail central bank digital currency innovations to improve payment services.

Special Series, Part 2: China lays digital groundwork for a new Silk Road

How China’s deployment of the digital yuan intertwines economics with geopolitics and concrete with virtual infrastructure, from Cambodia to the Caribbean.
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China sets out stall with digital yuan. Here comes the sales pitch

Urged on by the authorities, banks have wasted little time in putting e-CNY infrastructure in place, but now comes the hard part — getting people to use it.

Palestine looks to launch central bank digital currency

Following Israel’s recent tests of a digital shekel, the Palestinian Monetary Authority is looking to launch its own central bank digital currency.

Israeli central bank tests digital shekel using Ethereum

The Bank of Israel is testing its central bank digital currency, the digital Shekel, in a private permissioned ecosystem using Ethereum.

What lies ahead for CBDCs, Bitcoin and other digital currencies?

In a new report, Bank for International Settlements extols central bank digital currency (CBDC) as the future of money. Will CBDCs replace Bitcoin someday?

French central bank, SEBA Bank wrap CBDC securities settlement test

France’s central bank has successfully completed a central bank digital currency experiment involving the settlement of listed securities with Switzerland’s SEBA Bank.

Cash for CBDCs at Beijing ATMs; Asia sees new unicorn in Amber Group | The Daily Forkast

CBDC ATMs appear around Beijing and Hong Kong-based Amber Group is Asia’s billion dollar unicorn after raising US$100 million in its Series B.

Over 3,000 ATMs in Beijing now support digital yuan withdrawals

Two of China’s largest state-owned banks, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), are now offering two-way exchange between fiat cash yuan and e-CNY digital currency through more than 3,000 ATMs in Beijing, according to reports in local media.  Over 3,000 ATMs in Beijing managed by ICBC […]

As Shanghai gives away digital yuan, we hit the streets with a man spending it

Money may be easy to part with when it’s free, but as Shanghai’s first experimental e-CNY giveaway shows, it’s not so easy finding shops to take it.

How Singapore and Cambodia see digital currencies for cross-border use

In a recent conference, central bankers from Cambodia and Singapore discuss how digital currencies are transforming existing payment systems for the better.

R3 and ASEAN network partner on CBDC sandbox for banks and fintechs

The ASEAN Financial Innovation Network (AFIN) is partnering with enterprise software firm R3 on a central bank digital currency (CBDC) sandbox.

China reveals e-CNY wallet specifications

China’s central bank has unveiled four specifications of digital wallets for the country’s state-issued digital currency, the e-CNY.

BIS, Swiss and French central banks team up for CBDC Project Jura

The BIS, together with the central banks of France and Switzerland, are collaborating on a wholesale central bank digital currency experiment for cross-border settlements.

Hong Kong eyes CBDC; Aussie Millennials favor crypto vs. real estate | The Daily Forkast

Hong Kong looks to explore CBDC feasibility as Australian millennials favor investing in crypto over traditional assets.

Beijing Winter Olympics vendors begin to accept digital yuan

Shijingshan, a site for the upcoming Winter Olympics, has started supporting payments made using the state digital money, known as e-CNY.

Hong Kong eyes digital currency as part of new fintech plan

Hong Kong will be initiating a study on a digital Hong Kong dollar as part of its plans to “future proof” the city for central bank digital currencies.

Beijing looks to boost blockchain, create industry champions

China has released guidelines aimed at boosting the country’s blockchain development.

Shanghai in US$3M e-CNY windfall ahead of Dragon Boat holiday

Following a digital yuan giveaway announced for Beijing last week, Shanghai will distribute 350,000 red envelopes to people across the city during next week’s Dragon Boat Festival.

Regulators in Hainan warn of illegal crypto fundraising schemes

Regulators Hainan province have issued a warning against illegal fundraising schemes using crypto or blockchain..

China to give away digital yuan worth US$6.3M in latest e-CNY test

China is set to hand out 200,000 virtual red envelopes, each containing 200 yuan (US$31.30) of the country’s prototype digital currency, to Beijing residents.

May 2021

Digital yuan is not a surveillance tool, says Chinese ex-central bank director

Former People’s Bank of China Director Yao Qian says that the country’s digital yuan is not a surveillance tool for the government.

Will China become the new digital currency superpower?

The U.S. dollar reigns supreme as the current world reserve currency. Could the USD’s status change with the rise of CBDCs like China’s DCEP digital yuan?

Digital currencies gain ground as governments launch CBDC initiatives

Cashless payment methods are on the rise as governments step up central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) initiatives.

Crypto market rebound as investors go green; Indonesia plans CBDC | The Daily Forkast

Investors are turning to green alternatives to tackle Bitcoin’s impact on the environment as Indonesia gears up for a CBDC.

Indonesia to launch digital rupiah as online payments soar

Indonesia is planning to launch a digital version of its national currency, central bank Governor Perry Warjiyo said on Tuesday.

South Korea forges ahead on its digital currency development

Kicking the digital won’s development into higher gear, Bank of Korea is calling for bids to be a technology supplier for its digital currency (CBDC) project.

Digital dollar’s values to fortify USD hegemony, says ex-CFTC chair

Former CFTC chairman Chris Giancarlo and Accenture’s David Treat are not in a CBDC race, but a ‘contest’ to develop money that reflects societal values.

Will Singapore launch a people’s digital currency — and support DeFi?

As Singapore builds Project Dunbar, a cross-border multiple-CBDC platform, its government dives into DeFi learning and ponders a CBDC for the masses.

India’s demand for crypto ‘growing like crazy’ since ban attempt

It’s only a matter of time that digital currency ‘is going to overshadow all the other forms of money,’ says Neeraj Khandelwal of CoinDCX.

US dollar dominance waning as CBDCs enter global spotlight

Global US dollar reserves touched a 25-year low in Q4 2020, according to a new IMF report. Will a digital euro and e-RMB muscle in?

ICP takes crypto world by storm. Will Ethereum be the next Bitcoin? Goldman Sachs launches crypto trading desk.

Other top blockchain and cryptocurrency news: How Dogecoin copycat SHIB coin vaulted into crypto’s top 20. China unveils fingerprint ID for digital yuan.

BCH gets the nod from Japan; Digital yuan travels to the countryside | The Daily Forkast

While Bitcoin Cash surges, we visit a Japanese coffee shop owner who just started accepting BCH as payment.

April 2021

Internet giants JD.com and Ant Group deepen support for China’s digital yuan

China intensifies its nationwide digital currency testing via JD.com paying employee salaries in digital yuan and Ant Group’s MYbank offering e-yuan services.

Ant Group shares exclusive database tech to grow China’s CBDC | The Daily Forkast

China’s internet giant Ant Group shares its OceanBase database for the e-CNY project. More investors try out DeFi platform PancakeSwap.

5 reasons why CBDCs and Facebook-backed Diem go hand-in-hand

When Diem launches and central banks roll out digital currencies, what role will each play? Here is a look at the world’s financial and payments future.

How China’s DCEP digital yuan could reshape geopolitics and change the world

One year after China unveiled a digital currency via testing, its potential for displacing dollar diplomacy is becoming more understood. Is the US worried yet?

One year after China began testing its digital yuan, China watchers wonder how close it is to launching?

Look for nifty DCEP wallets to make a debut at the 2022 Beijing Olympics

Dogecoin swells over 80% in Asia hours; China’s CBDC pilots turn one

Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Cuban are behind the 8th largest crypto Dogecoin. Meanwhile, it’s the one-year anniversary of DCEP pilots.

Macao considers e-CNY rollout; kimchi premium arbitrage on the rise | The Daily Forkast

Macao jumps into digital yuan feasibility studies while South Korean banks make moves to curb kimchi premium arbitrage.

Japan explores digital currency but is loathe to commit

Despite launching CBDC research, Bank of Japan is still not sure nation needs digital yen. Experts fear the caution could cost Japan its competitive edge.