‘Digital base money’ could hinder monetary policy, ECB official warns

Mersch examines means of issuing central bank-backed digital money to non-banks

Yves Mersch
Yves Mersch, European Central Bank

'Digital base money' could be more widely used in the eurozone, according to Yves Mersch, but only if it is designed in a way that does not hinder the implementation of monetary policy.

The European Central Bank executive board member told a seminar in Finland on January 16 that 'digital base money', or DBM, was characterised by two features: not only is it a "claim on the central bank", like circulating banknotes, but also "in contrast to banknotes, it is digital".

DBM already existed, Mersch

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@centralbanking.com or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.centralbanking.com/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Central Banking? View our subscription options

Register for Central Banking

All fields are mandatory unless otherwise highlighted

This address will be used to create your account

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Central Banking account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account

.