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China Expands Digital Yuan Pilot: Hong Kong Residents Can Now Set up E-CNY Wallets Locally
17.5.2024
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) have advanced the digital yuan (e-CNY) pilot for payments, aiming to increase e-CNY wallet usage in Hong Kong. Residents can now set up and top up wallets via the Faster Payment System (FPS), marking the first global...
Hong Kong digital yuan pilot lacks P2P capabilities
17.5.2024
While Hong Kong residents can sign up for a digital yuan (e-CNY) wallet with a phone number, the CBDC is currently restricted to cross-border transactions and cannot be used for person-to-person transfers within Hong Kong
Despite $250 Billion Worth of Transactions, Digital Yuan Users Prefer Physical Cash
13.5.2024
Some participants of China’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot program, specifically state workers paid in digital yuan (e-CNY), are quickly converting their digital currency to physical cash due to concerns over its utility and lack of incentives like interest on savings. Despite...
Rwandan Research Paper Recommends CBDC With ‘Partial Pseudo-Anonymity’
9.5.2024
A recent research paper from the National Bank of Rwanda recommends a two-tier, universal, zero-interest central bank digital currency (CBDC) with partial pseudo-anonymity. Although the research paper identifies 15 opportunities for CBDC, only four are said to offer “high potential benefits...
India Working on Offline Transferability of Digital Rupee, Says Central Bank Governor
8.5.2024
India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is in the process of making its central bank digital currency (CBDC) available without relying on internet access. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has emphasized the importance of ensuring the digital rupee’s ease of use. RBI Governor...
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Releases Digital Currency Consultation Paper
20.4.2024
The Reserve Bank of Zealand has said the proposed digital version of the country’s physical cash would provide universal access to central bank money, either in physical cash or digital form. According to the central bank, the digital version will not only be government-backed but will also...
Russian Central Bank Chief: Mass Adoption of Digital Ruble Expected in 5 to 7 Years
11.4.2024
Elvira Nabiullina, head of the Russian central bank, has stated that the mass launch of the digital ruble will take five to seven years. This appears to contradict recent suggestions by the chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market that the launch will begin next year....
Zano Blockchain’s Hard Fork Facilitates Privacy Coin Creation, Introduces Confidential Assets
25.3.2024
The Zano blockchain’s recently completed Zarcanum hard fork (HF4) will enable users and organizations to create custom tokenized assets that meet their specific needs. These custom tokenized assets or confidential assets, will be untraceable on the Zano blockchain. The team believes that...
Real-World Assets Platform Gluwa Considers Developing Liberia’s CBDC
19.3.2024
The real-world assets platform, Gluwa, is exploring the potential to assist in the development and launch of Liberia’s central bank digital currency. To increase the likelihood of the digital currency’s success, Gluwa is also considering the launch of a satellite-based internet service. Making...
Global Surge in CBDC Exploration Leaves US Playing Catch-Up: Study
14.3.2024
An Atlantic Council study showed that 134 countries, or 98% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), are currently exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This number has surged from just 35 since May 2020.
The post Global Surge in CBDC Exploration Leaves US Playing Catch-Up: Study...
Nigerian Central Bank, Real-World Asset Firm Partner to Revive Struggling CBDC
9.3.2024
Gluwa, a platform for real-world assets, announced on March 7 its partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The partnership arrangement aims to improve the functionality of the Nigerian central bank’s digital currency and promote financial innovation through blockchain technology. Improving...
Fed Chair Powell Eases CBDC Concerns: US Far From Direct Fed Accounts, Emphasizes Need for Congressional Approval
7.3.2024
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell engaged with the Senate Banking Committee, signaling that the U.S. is just beginning to contemplate the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Powell Assures No Direct Fed Accounts in CBDC Plans, Seeks Congressional Go-Ahead In...
Digital Euro Association Partners With HBAR Foundation to Boost Understanding of CBDCs and Stablecoins
28.2.2024
The Digital Euro Association (DEA) has entered into a partnership with the HBAR Foundation. This collaboration aims to bolster its comprehension of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins. Although this partnership marks a significant milestone in the digital currency landscape...
CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act Back in the Senate
28.2.2024
The CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act has been reintroduced in the Senate with the support of five U.S. senators. “As Americans face the prospect of an increasingly weaponized government, ensuring financial privacy is pivotal,” said one senator who supports the bill. A central bank...
Fed Governor Discusses Crypto’s Impact on US Dollar Dominance — Says Banks Should Avoid Bitcoin ETFs as Primary Asset
18.2.2024
A Federal Reserve governor has addressed crypto’s impact on the U.S. dollar’s dominance. Additionally, he expressed reservations about the need for a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC) and stated his opposition to banks holding bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as their...
Fed Chair Powell Briefs Lawmakers on US Central Bank Digital Currency Progress
15.2.2024
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has provided an update to Congress members regarding the Fed’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) work. “If we’re going to have a CBDC, Congress needs to authorize it,” he stressed. Moreover, the Fed chair reportedly said that a framework...
30 Banks Participating in Russia’s Central Bank Digital Currency Pilot
2.2.2024
The number of banks participating in Russia’s central bank digital currency pilot has increased to 30. Seventeen banks have signed an agreement with the Bank of Russia to participate in the digital ruble program. They will join 13 other banks, about 600 citizens, and 30 trading and service...
Russia Open to the Use of Crypto in Foreign Trade Says Central Bank Governor
1.2.2024
The Russian Central Bank is discussing the possible use of central bank digital currencies as a payment method in foreign trade, according to Elvira Nabiullina, the bank’s governor. Nabiullina stated that while Russia is opposed to the use of crypto payments in domestic transactions, the country...
RFK Jr. and Donald Trump Both Vow to Stop the Fed From Issuing US Central Bank Digital Currency if Elected
29.1.2024
U.S. presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) and Donald Trump have independently promised the American people to stop the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the U.S. if elected President. “I will protect Americans from government tyranny,” Trump said...
Bank of England, HM Treasury Respond to Digital Pound Consultation Amid Strong Public Interest
27.1.2024
Amidst public interest, the Bank of England and HM Treasury have addressed key concerns regarding the digital pound, reassuring the public of stringent legislative measures for privacy and control, alongside the maintenance of traditional cash. HM Treasury and Bank of England Respond to Public’s...