Seven banks are at the crossroads as the CBDC race heats up.
Rapid digitalization has prompted global central banks to explore the potential of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to ensure financial inclusion.
Several countries have already initiated CBDC pilots or launched their digital currencies, putting pressure on banks worldwide to keep up with this trend.
In this context, a group of seven major central banks finds themselves at a crucial juncture, contemplating their response to this emerging landscape.
A Complex Path Forward for CBDCs
Major central banks, including the Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, and Bank of England, have collaborated on a comprehensive paper that delves into central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
This paper builds upon previous reports dating back to 2020 and explores the potential implementation and policy implications of CBDCs.
According to the recently published 10-paper report in May, some members of this group are nearing a decision on whether to proceed with the development of CBDCs.
The next stage of development would involve investing in technology design, understanding user preferences, and exploring various business models—however, the fundamental question of whether to issue a CBDC.
While some central banks are progressing toward CBDC implementation, others must still be ready to embrace this technology.
The Bank of England released a paper in February investigating the concept of a digital currency. It acknowledged that the required infrastructure bank’s commitment needs to be made.
Similarly, Canada has engaged in discussions and sought public feedback on CBDCs but has indicated it is still being prepared for immediate implementation.
The paper emphasizes the importance of sustained engagement from legislators and authorities as CBDC work progresses. Addressing legal issues of CBDCs will predominantly fall within the purview of national laws, influenced by policy decisions and the specific design of CBDCs.
Deep Divisions
Certain states within the United States, like Florida, have taken proactive measures by introducing bans on CBDCs even before a framework or the implementation of a digital dollar has been established.
The discussions surrounding CBDCs are expected to impact political campaigns in the United States as the nation heads toward the election season.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has expressed disapproval of CBDCs, citing concerns about financial freedoms and privacy. In contrast, he has voiced support for Bitcoin and criticized attempts to regulate cryptocurrencies as undue government interference.
Although countries still need to prepare for CBDC implementation, central banks actively strategize potential use cases and consider various design aspects.
The report highlights the involvement of both the public and private sectors in any CBDC ecosystem, and while blockchain technology is not regarded as essential, it remains a possibility.
Not explicitly mentioned in the paper, Hong Kong has launched a pilot program for an e-HKD in a sandbox environment.
The government tests multiple applications, including tokenized deposits and online/offline payments. It plans to establish a CBDC expert group to investigate the policy and technical issues surrounding CBDC issuance.
The race for CBDCs has intensified in recent years, with China leading the way and other countries, such as the United States, lagging. Although visible progress in the US is limited, many believe that work is ongoing behind the scenes.
CBDCs allow central banks to address systemic goals such as financial inclusion, fraud prevention, money laundering mitigation, and advancing digital payment options. Additionally, they can foster digitalization, spur domestic payments innovation, and provide a novel instrument for monetary policy.
However, the implementation of CBDCs entails significant challenges. Legal and regulatory aspects are key hurdles in issuing CBDCs and ensuring public financial literacy is crucial.
Technical infrastructure and application pose additional difficulties, including limited internet connectivity in rural areas and the risk of cyberattacks.
But the biggest challenge is consumption – whether CBDCs will stimulate people’s willingness to spend, given the risks of monetary privacy. This challenge arises due to concerns regarding financial privacy, as some argue that CBDCs may need to provide a different level of privacy than cryptocurrencies.
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