Distributed ledger
SNB rejects idea of retail central bank digital currency
Governing board member Andrea Maechler says central bank digital currency would bring “incalculable risks”, and denies that crypto tokens are “comparable with” money
RBI to consider launching digital currency
Reserve bank to investigate issuing a digital form of central bank money, as it unveils measures to “ring fence” regulated banks against crypto tokens
BoE outlines DLT proof of concept
Participants will access cloud-based platform which will simulate new RTGS system
DLT offers new possibilities for securities settlement, says ECB and BoJ team
Second phase of ‘Project Stella’ looks at delivery versus payment on three DLT platforms
Crypto tokens not yet a ‘significant risk’ – MAS’s Menon
The MAS is monitoring the crypto world using “unconventional” data-gathering methods
Thai governor advises banks to get fintech-based vaccine
Fintech can help build “immunity” to financial shocks, says Santiprabhob, urging banks to use data to improve risk management
Lagarde says tech should be used for crypto regulation
IMF managing director says it’s time to “fight fire with fire”; DLT and AI could help enforce regulation on crypto assets
Swift publishes results of ‘landmark’ DLT project
Swift says it is no longer a question of if, but when DLT will reach maturity
Sweden must ask fundamental questions on money – Ingves
Sveriges Riksbank governor Stefan Ingves says lawmakers must act to preserve the regulation of the payments system
ECB’s Mersch urges caution on regulatory sandboxes
The ECB board member is “not sure we have the right answers yet”
The winners of the 2018 Central Banking Awards
Bank of Canada wins Central Bank of the Year, Lesetja Kganyago picks up Governor of the Year and Perng Fai-nan receives Lifetime Achievement Award; 16 more awards unveiled
UK lawmakers launch inquiry into DLT and cryptocurrency
Parliamentary committee is to investigate whether UK regulators have struck the right balance in regulating emerging technologies without stifling innovation
Sama enables blockchain for cross-border payments
Pilot with Ripple will allow domestic banks to settle payments across the xCurrent network; payments infrastructure based on the Interledger Protocol
European authorities warn of dangers in cryptocurrency markets
Spanish and Dutch central banks warn of “misleading” data and unregulated markets
BIS’s Carstens calls for cryptocurrency clampdown
Bitcoin has become “a combination of a bubble, a Ponzi scheme and an environmental disaster”
Global custodian of the year: BNY Mellon
The US asset specialist has made strong progress in its effort to offer a seamless overlay of its disparate legacy systems, while also providing improved training to official institutions
Central Banking Awards: Bank of Canada is central bank of the year
Awards go to the Bank of Canada, PriceStats, Perago and De La Rue
Do not ban cryptocurrencies – DNB
Central bank says a ban would be difficult to enforce and could impede innovation
Initiative of the year: Bank of England’s FinTech Accelerator
The UK central bank has embraced fintech service providers in a controlled manner to bolster its cyber-security and payments capabilities
Consultancy and advisory provider of the year (data and regulatory management): BearingPoint
BearingPoint’s expertise in data and reporting has informed a number of high-level bodies over the past year, including the Basel Committee and the IMF, following groundbreaking work in Austria
Russia raises capital ratios, launches fintech consultations
Systemically important banks must increase capital ratios; smaller banks can choose “basic” or “universal” licences
Instant payments crucial to stop crypto disruption – Mersch
ECB board member reiterates concerns around viability of crypto-currencies, while encouraging banks to adopt instant payment networks
UK Royal Mint to use blockchain to track gold trades
System will track ownership of gold traded on new platform without the need of a central database; new system will charge small transaction fees but abolish storage fees
How crypto is my currency?
Richard Heckinger examines how central banks are grappling with new ideas on crypto-currency and distributed ledgers