Digital currency
European authorities warn of dangers in cryptocurrency markets
Spanish and Dutch central banks warn of “misleading” data and unregulated markets
Asian central banks crack down on cryptocurrency
Central banks in China, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore all taking action as cryptocurrency prices slump
Bank of Lithuania set to board the blockchain
Central bank in the process of creating blockchain-specific sandbox that will grant firms access to its own platform, LBChain; hoping to launch in 2019
Danish central bank dismisses central bank digital currency
Digital instrument would not make current payment system more efficient, says report, adding introducing such a currency would pit the central bank against commercial institutions
Bank Negara Malaysia issues new digital currency regulation
Proposed regulation aims to hold digital exchanges to a higher standard of transparency, while ensuring they identify any AML/CFT risks that may arise
RBA’s Lowe discusses potential electronic Aussie dollar
Financial stability risk and reforms holding back provision of digital currency at the moment, says RBA governor, but clearing and settlement could be future use case
Malaysia’s Ibrahim warns of costs of not turning digital
Bank Negara governor outlines plans to push consumers towards e-payments, as the cost of cheque processing weighs on the economy
Ingves: Riksbank ‘will soon take a stance’ on e-krona
The executive board will examine whether e-krona could be the gateway to central bank money, as the decline in cash continues in Sweden
Digital currencies may foster competitiveness in retail payments, research finds
But central banks should be cautious and implement non-anonymous models to preserve security
How crypto is my currency?
Richard Heckinger examines how central banks are grappling with new ideas on crypto-currency and distributed ledgers
Canada’s Project Jasper to explore clearing of securities in third phase
Central bank teams up with new partner for phase three of DLT project, with results expected in May 2018
Bank of Lithuania bans banks from virtual currency activities
Lithuanian financial firms must disassociate themselves from virtual currencies, says central bank, warning licences may be revoked
DNB abandons digital currency initiative to focus on blockchain
Blockchain could offer better resilience for payment systems against cyber threats, says head of FMI policy; digital currency not the most “promising” use of blockchain
Race against time for fiat currencies – Lagarde
IMF managing director envisages digital currencies taking over in countries with “unstable currencies”, but infrastructure has to be improved first
Uruguay’s digital currency pilot ‘close to launch’, says governor
Central bank’s initiative will allow the public to access digital currency via mobile wallets; Ecuador’s prototype proves a flop
DLT not ready for retail payments – Bundesbank
German central bank says retail payment systems are already sufficient to support fast transfers; DLT could be used to streamline global payment processes
PBoC research head defends ICO ban
Central bank official stresses ban on ICOs will not hinder research on blockchain
Central banks unlikely to issue digital money, argues author
David Birch’s book discusses how communities could be at the heart of the new electronic monetary system
Six large banks join UBS digital currency project
UBS announces the third phase of its digital currency project; analysts question whether the project can deliver all it promises
Fintech can give emerging markets an edge – PNG governor
Loi Bakani says the central bank is supportive of attempts to develop financial technology, though it present regulators with a “massive challenge”
RBA payments board backs ‘digital identity’ for Australians
Board encourages payments industry to work on a framework that could make online transactions more convenient and secure
Digital currencies could transform the role of central banks – Chilean governor
Marcel is wary of developments with CBDCs, but believes they are still a long way off; he urges central banks to keep pace with fintech innovation
Sarb denies fintech firms have joined ‘sandbox’
South African central bank denies claims a blockchain start-up has been accepted into the scheme, as it does not currently exist; a working group is in discussions on feasibility
BoE bloggers suggest central banks could use equity-financed QE
Economists raise ideas for future balance sheet innovations, including digital currencies, helicopter money drops and equity-based quantitative easing