Digital currencies
Nigerian central bank will test prototype CBDC
“eNaira” will be tested in four cities, reaching a combined population of nearly 15 million
Turkey raises banks’ gold and FX reserve levels
Central bank announces work with state-owned organisations on prototype CBDC
Bitcoin becomes legal tender in El Salvador
Observers warn move could further destabilise the fragile Salvadoran economy
Bank of Thailand to test retail CBDC
Thai central bank will invite firms to participate in testing prototype in 2022
Venezuela to debut CBDC in October
“Bolívar digital” accompanied by redenomination of currency, which will drop six zeroes
ECCB extends digital cash to St Vincent
CBDC pilot expanded to fifth country as it struggles with aftermath of volcanic eruption
PBoC continues crypto trading crackdown
Chinese deputy governor says PBoC will widen tests of ‘digital yuan’ CBDC prototype
Carney warns CBDC delays play into hands of big tech
Failure to launch CBDC risks entrenching power of tech firms, former BoE governor says
US may not need CBDC – Boston Fed chief
Rosengren says improved payments systems may provide many CBDC uses
Zhang Tao on the IMF’s fintech agenda, CBDCs and big tech oversight
IMF deputy MD speaks about the fund’s views on CBDC operating frameworks and macrofinancial surveillance
Richmond Fed: is US ready for digital dollar?
Brief argues there are questions to answer before embarking on CBDC
Bank of Canada may speed research into central-bank e-currency
Deputy governor says digital cash “not foregone conclusion,” criticises crypto
Book notes: The currency cold war, by David Birch
Pleasant and interesting read on if digital money will jeopardise US dollar’s dominance in global trade and finance
The role of Tips for the future payments landscape
Tips could play a critical role in providing the infrastructure for a digital euro as well as facilitating fast and efficient cross-border payments
China starts public trials of experimental CBDC
PBoC and Shenzhen local government issue digital yuan to test retail payments
ECB’s Panetta stresses digital euro should preserve privacy
Central bank launches public consultation on digital euro
UK’s FCA bans crypto derivatives for retail investors
FCA says retail crypto assets have no reliable valuation basis and could increase financial crime
ECB steps up research on ‘digital euro’
Central bank analysing both centralised and decentralised options for a digital currency
An end to the loveless marriage with the US dollar?
Covid-19 represents an unexpected shock that could cause further US dollar decoupling
Central Bank of Brazil forms CBDC working group
Report by commercial bank warns that Brazil faces strong structural obstacles to CBDC
Fed paper looks at different CBDC types
“Account-based”, “cash equivalent” and “hybrid” CBDCs all have varying advantages – researchers
Boston Fed and MIT collaborate on digital currency research
Research results on software architecture will be released as open source
Bank of Japan intensifies CBDC research
Central bank appoints new CBDC head as ruling party warns Chinese effort poses security threat
Bank of Korea sets up digital innovation division
Korean central bank aims to increase CBDC research and create new statistics system