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BIS Releases Report On ‘Project Icebreaker’ — Develops Cross-Border Retail CBDC Payment Model
8.3.2023
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has released a report summarizing the “Project Icebreaker” trial, which explored the potential advantages and difficulties of utilizing a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) in cross-border payments. The experiment was designed...
BIS Completes Successful Pilot Study of Central Bank Digital Currencies for Cross-Border Payments
7.3.2023
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has completed a pilot study of the use of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) for cross-border payments in collaboration with central banks in Norway, Sweden, and Israel.
The pilot study, called Project Icebreaker, aimed to test the “technical...
BIS Says 'Hub and Spoke' Cross-Border Transfers Offer Benefits for Retail CBDC
6.3.2023
The model explored in Project Icebreaker would offer retail users the best foreign-exchange rates and faster transactions while allowing central banks to keep almost total control of their currencies
China Begins Hong Kong ‘Cross-Border’ Digital Yuan Pilot
17.2.2023
Shenzhen, China, has begun a retail-focused “cross-border” digital yuan pilot with Hong Kong.
China Banking and Insurance News (via JRJ) reported that the event is the brainchild of the central People’s Bank of China (PBoC) and the Luohu District local government. Luohu is located close to Hong...
El Salvador Considers Opening Second Bitcoin Embassy in Texas to Boost Economic Exchange
15.2.2023
On Feb. 14, 2023, Milena Mayorga, the Salvadoran ambassador to the United States, announced that her country is considering opening a second bitcoin embassy in the Lone Star State. Mayorga said that Texas is “our new ally” and the goal is to expand “commercial and economic...
UAE Launches ‘Financial Infrastructure Transformation’ Program; CBDC Among 9 Key Objectives
14.2.2023
On Feb. 12, 2023, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) announced the launch of a new initiative called the “Financial Infrastructure Transformation Program,” which has nine key objectives. One of these objectives is the research and development of a central bank digital...
Russia Mulls Gold-backed Stablecoin, Lawmaker Confirms After Iran Visit
27.1.2023
Russia may issue a stablecoin backed by gold to use in international settlements, a high-ranking member of the Russian parliament has admitted. The matter has been discussed during a recent visit to Iran where officials have also signaled interest in such an initiative. Iran and Russia Talk...
Latam Common Currency to Focus on Settlements Among Mercosur and BRICS Countries
25.1.2023
President of Brazil Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva clarified the scope and reach of the common currency that Brazil and Argentina are studying to issue in Latam. Lula Da Silva clarified that he believed this currency would be used to settle cross-border payments between the two countries and also...
China-backed Blockchain Project Proposes SWIFT Alternative for Stablecoins and CBDCs
23.1.2023
The company developing China’s blockchain network wants to create a system for international settlements with stablecoins and state-issued digital currencies. The plan is to establish a platform facilitating the use of these two fiat-based digital assets in foreign trade. Company Behind...
Aussie 'Big 4' bank mints stablecoin for carbon trading and remittances
19.1.2023
This marks the second "Big 4" bank in Australia to launch an Australian-dollar pegged stablecoin in a bid to boost the digital economy
Cross-border crypto scammers on the hit list for EU agencies
16.1.2023
Europol and Eurojust, two EU agencies for law enforcement cooperation, joined authorities from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany and Serbia to investigate online investment fraud since June 2022
PayPal Xoom adds cross-border remittance on debit card deposit
13.1.2023
PayPal’s cross-border remittance service called Xoom partnered with Visa Direct to allow debit card holders to receive funds within minutes
Russia to begin work on CBDC settlement system in Q1 as sanctions endure: Report
10.1.2023
The country's central bank will begin studying two possible cross-border CBDC settlement models this quarter
Bank of Russia to Test International Crypto Payments With Companies
21.12.2022
The Central Bank of Russia plans to use cryptocurrency for cross-border payments in trials with private companies, a member of its top management has revealed. The testing will be conducted under a special legal regime that’s currently under development. Russia’s Central Bank to Explore Crypto...
Bitcoin Lightning Network to be used in fiat transfers between EU and Africa
12.12.2022
CoinCorner and Bitnob teamed up to create cross-border transactions between the UK and Europe to Africa via the Bitcoin Lightning Network
Pokémon Cards Get Rid Of Those Hideous Yellow Borders After 23 Years
9.12.2022
The date for the all-new Pokémon Scarlet & Violet TCG cards has been revealed, along with some really excellent news: International cards are losing their godawful yellow borders! Woo-hoo! We’re at last getting the gray/silver Japan enjoys, along with a bunch of other quality-of-life...
DMI finds CBDCs not targeting cross-border payments, huge potential in Metaverse
8.12.2022
The Digital Money Institute’s third annual payments report looks at CBDCs for the first time, as well as other payment methods, through the lens of cross-border payment utility
Strike Launches Bitcoin Lightning Network-Enabled Money Transfers to Africa
7.12.2022
United States-based users of Strike, a digital payments platform built on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, can now transfer funds instantly and at a low cost to Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria via the recently added new feature known as “Send Globally.” The new feature instantly converts...
Remittances to Low and Middle Income Countries in 2022 Up by 5% to $626 Billion — Latest World Bank Report
7.12.2022
Despite the headwinds that have dominated the year, remittances to low and middle-income countries in 2022 still grew by 5% to $626 billion, the World Bank Migration and Development Brief has said. Africa, where the cost of sending $200 averaged 7.8% in 2022, is the “most severely exposed...
Strike partners with Bitnob to facilitate cross-border payments into Africa
6.12.2022
On stage at AfroBitcoin, Strike CEO Jack Mallers announced plans to improve remittance payments into Africa thanks to the Lightning Network on Bitcoin