Payments
MAS tests upgraded unified QR code system
New code could allow merchants to accept different QR payment methods more easily
‘Digital pound’ needed as cash successor, says BoE’s Cunliffe
Departing deputy governor says CBDC could be necessary by decade’s end
Fed proposes lowering permitted debit card fees
Proposal draws ire from Michelle Bowman and banking trade associations
Swedish parliament urged to reinforce legal status of cash
“More consumers and businesses need access to payment accounts,” says Riksbank governor
Egypt restricts foreign currency credit card payments
The move comes after the central bank restricted debit card use abroad
Somalia’s Abdullahi on the challenges of re-integration with the international system
The Central Bank of Somalia governor speaks about capacity building, reintroducing the shilling, securing donor support and climate change
New payments rule incites controversy in Argentina
Retailer and former central bank officials allege regulation shields banks from competition
Retail CBDCs can promote payment competition, report finds
BIS, HKMA and Bank of Israel say project found using different service providers need not harm security
Myanmar official says Mir payments will launch in October
Central bank leader had predicted the Russian card would start circulating last year
Barr says Fed will not issue CBDC without legislation
Supervision chief warns of danger of unregulated issuance of stablecoins
Vanuatu launches new automated payments network
Island nation opens interbank rails and central securities depository
RBA says CBDC decision is likely ‘some years away’
Australian central bank says a CBDC might improve payments system but also questions its necessity
Cambodia and Laos launch cross-border payments link
Travellers from the two countries will be able to shop in their home currencies using QR codes
Custodia opens for business without Fed master account
Wyoming digital assets bank is continuing legal action against the US central bank
Cuba central bank official says cash shortage is ‘critical situation’
Banks struggle to meet demand as government tries to expand use of e-payments
US credit card debt passes $1 trillion for the first time
NY Fed says credit is stabilising at pre-pandemic levels despite historic figure
Fed unveils new crypto supervision programme
Smaller banks need Federal Reserve authorisation before issuing stablecoins and dollar tokens
Cuba limits cash transactions and ATM access
Central bank measure provokes scepticism and concern
Nicaragua considers joining Mir network
Finance minister says Russian cards will overcome “aggression” of sanctions
MAS to replace corporate cheques with deferred payment system
Singapore will move to new system by 2025 amid falling usage and rising processing costs
Banque de France says printworks are going ahead
Staff end strike as central bank agrees to appoint ergonomist to help in design of new plant
Digital yuan transactions growing rapidly, PBoC says
But Yi Gang notes prototype CBDC currently takes up a very small share of cash in circulation
Russia’s Mir cards now working in Venezuela
Russian payment cards advance in Latin America, but get sanctioned by Canada
US instant payment system FedNow goes live
Mester says service could handle P2P, cross-border, and interoperable payments