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Belarus Sanctions ‘Antidote?’ Minsk Confirms ‘Blockchain-powered CBDC’ Launch
7.2.2024
Minsk is looking for ways to end Belarus’ sanctions woes, with its central bank confirming the planned launch of a blockchain-powered CBDC. Per Sputnik Belarus, the National Bank of Belarus (NBB) is keen to make use of smart contract technology. A spokesperson told reporters on February 3: “We plan...
The Big Misunderstanding: What MiCA Really Means for Stablecoins in Europe
6.2.2024
The EU's comprehensive crypto guidance does not introduce entirely new regulations for fiat backed stablecoins, former central banker Jón Egilsson writes. Instead it affirms existing rules that many current issuers are not yet following
Donald Trump Calls CBDCs and Artificial Intelligence 'Dangerous'
5.2.2024
The Republican frontrunner also said that AI-powered deepfakes were a "tremendous problem."
Nigeria Forex Crisis: Central Bank Removes Cap on Exchange Rate for International Money Transfer Operators
4.2.2024
The Central Bank of Nigeria announced on Jan. 31 that it had removed caps on naira payout rates that international money transfer operators are allowed to quote. The central bank said the policy change is an effort aimed at further liberalizing the foreign exchange market. The naira’s Feb.1...
Veteran Investor Jim Rogers on Crypto: Bitcoin Unlikely to Become Money, Governments Favor CBDCs
3.2.2024
In a new interview, Jim Rogers, who helms Rogers Holdings Inc. and was a co-creator of the Quantum Fund alongside George Soros in the 1970s, shared his observation of “various signs that something is going to go wrong soon” within the U.S. economy, predicting an impending recession....
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...
Fed Maintains Interest Rates, Seeks ‘Greater Confidence’ on Inflation Goal; Bitcoin and Gold Hold Steady
31.1.2024
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2023, the U.S. Federal Reserve opted to maintain the federal funds rate unchanged. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) additionally stated that the committee “does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence...
Belarus Set to Launch Hyperledger Fabric-powered Digital Ruble Platform
30.1.2024
Belarus is edging closer to the launch of its CBDC, the digital Belarusian ruble, with a new “platform” built on the open Hyperledger Fabric blockchain network. Per Ekononmicheskaya Gazeta, the National Bank of Belarus and the Center for Banking Technologies “began developing a platform for...
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...
ECB Staff Unhappy With Christine Lagarde’s Leadership, Survey Shows
27.1.2024
A survey of European Central Bank (ECB) staff has revealed widespread dissatisfaction with President Christine Lagarde’s leadership. More than half of the respondents rated Lagarde’s performance as “very poor” or “poor.” Some expressed concerns that the former...
Britcoin: Is a Digital Pound Really on The Horizon?
25.1.2024
The UK Parliament and the Bank of England (BOE) continue to “um and ah” over whether a state-backed digital pound also known as “Britcoin” or a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is needed. On Wednesday, the UK’s Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury James Bowler, said a digital pound consultation...
Exploring the Privacy Concerns Around CBDCs
23.1.2024
The future of money is digital and many countries are developing their own Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC). This in turn will have far-reaching implications on society, businesses, and banks, as the use of physical cash declines. Retail CBDCs are government-backed digital fiat money which...
Trump Reiterates Anti-CBDC Stance, Credits Vivek Ramaswamy for Policy Guidance
23.1.2024
The Republican frontrunner credited former candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for the policy
Sri Lanka’s Stance on Crypto and the Launch of ‘Lanka Pay’ in 2024
22.1.2024
Sri Lanka has always been a country where cash is king and this remains the case despite the country planning to introduce its digital currency by the end of 2024. Once dubbed “the pearl of the Indian Ocean” — Sri Lanka is known for producing the finest tea, fresh coconuts,...
Congressman Tom Emmer Offers to Help Donald Trump Fight Central Bank Digital Currencies
22.1.2024
Congressman Tom Emmer has offered to help former U.S. President Donald Trump fight the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the U.S. “I agree with President Trump; CBDCs pose a serious threat to Americans’ right to financial privacy. I look forward to working with...
Donald Trump Promises to Block Digital Dollar Creation — Calls CBDC ‘Dangerous Threat to Freedom’
19.1.2024
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to stop the creation of a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC) if he is elected president of the United States. He explained that a digital dollar would give the federal government “absolute control over your money,” warning that...
Donald Trump Promises to "Never Allow" Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) if Elected
18.1.2024
Former President Donald Trump joins Ron DeSantis as a critic of CBDCs
Russian Central Bank ‘Turning a Blind Eye’ to Crypto-powered Trade – Senator
17.1.2024
Source: ulchik74/Adobe A Russian senator has claimed the nation’s Central Bank is “turning a blind eye” to firms that use crypto as a payment tool in international trade. Russia’s CoinSpot quoted Ivan Abramov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee...