BIS: CBDC Research Gaining Steam but Widespread Issuance Years Away

Australia’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), has completed its pilot program exploring the potential use cases of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The research project, carried out in conjunction with the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC), involved 16 selected industry participants, including Mastercard, Australian Bond Exchange, and Fame Capital. This […]

The Norwegian central bank aims to find a preferred CBDC solution through new technical tests. The Norwegian central bank, Norges Bank, is set to test various technical solutions for a central bank digital currency following years of research.Norges Bank officially announced Friday that it will be conducting CBDC tests over the next two years upon recommendations from an internal working group. “The working group is of the opinion that the motivation for research into CBDCs has been strengthened. Many central banks are in the process of carrying out similar research, and several are....

The pilot project will last a year, and the details for potential participants will be published in the next few months. The Reserve Bank of Australia weighs in the central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) race to explore use cases for a CBDC in the country. It will collaborate with the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) on a respective research project. As stated in an announcement from Aug. 9, the joint project of the Reserve Bank and DFCRC will focus on “innovative use cases and business models” that could be supported by the issuance of a CBDC. The technological, legal....

The bank has been exploring the introduction of a CBDC since 2017. The Bank of Israel is accelerating its research for the potential issuance of a central bank digital currency.In a statement from the central bank today, the Bank of Israel said it was preparing an action plan to explore the benefits of a digital shekel on the economy. Though the bank said it had not yet decided whether to issue a central bank digital currency, or CBDC, it added it would be prepared to do so should the benefits “outweigh the costs and potential risks.”The central bank said it may consider issuing a CBDC if....

The results of a new study from the Bank of Thailand point to three key considerations for making sure a retail central bank digital currency doesn't adversely impact financial stability. The Bank of Thailand has published the results of a new study into how to manage the implications of issuing a retail central bank digital currency (CDBC) for the country’s financial sector.As distinct from a wholesale CBDC, which is limited to use by financial institutions and intermediaries, a retail CBDC is widely available for use by the general public. The Bank of Thailand, like many other central....