DFC

5260 bookmarks
Newest
Digital Euro Innovation Platform Outcome Report: Pioneers and Visionaries Workstreams (ECB)
Digital Euro Innovation Platform Outcome Report: Pioneers and Visionaries Workstreams (ECB)
The European Central Bank (ECB) published a report on the digital euro innovation platform, established in October 2024 to foster collaboration with diverse stakeholders. The platform included “pioneers” (focused on technical trials) and “visionaries” (exploring long-term innovation). Visionaries proposed features such as integrated electronic receipts, pay-on-delivery systems, AI-powered wallets, and inclusive payment interfaces, emphasizing privacy and accessibility. Pioneers verified the technical feasibility of conditional payments, demonstrating how reservation-of-funds infrastructure could unlock advances in e-commerce, transport, public services, and business payments. Due to broad engagement and interest, the ECB will initiate a second round of experimentation in early 2026 to maximize further innovation and collaboration. [Source: ECB]
·ecb.europa.eu·
Digital Euro Innovation Platform Outcome Report: Pioneers and Visionaries Workstreams (ECB)
The Money Dialogues: The Meaning of Money, Innovation, and Stability (IMF)
The Money Dialogues: The Meaning of Money, Innovation, and Stability (IMF)
The IMF's Finance & Development published an article by Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli on the risk of stablecoin fragmentation that makes direct exchange costly or cumbersome. While solutions such as interoperability mechanisms or even central bank-supported standards are suggested, the article highlights that without concerted efforts for compatibility and regulatory coherence, fragmentation could hinder the benefits of innovation—complicating transactions, fragmenting liquidity, and potentially concentrating power on dominant networks or coins. The article also suggests that if stablecoin issuers had access to central bank reserves, even if only for intra-day settlement, interoperability would be ensured. As a quid pro quo the issuer could have to submit to additional central bank oversight. [Source: IMF]
·imf.org·
The Money Dialogues: The Meaning of Money, Innovation, and Stability (IMF)
CFTC Launches Tokenized Collateral and Stablecoins Initiative (CFTC)
CFTC Launches Tokenized Collateral and Stablecoins Initiative (CFTC)
The U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched an initiative to allow tokenized collateral—including stablecoins—to be used in U.S. derivatives markets, citing the need for modernization and greater market efficiency. Industry leaders from Circle, Coinbase, Ripple, Tether, and Crypto.com publicly support the move, emphasizing how regulated stablecoins could enhance liquidity, reduce risks, and strengthen U.S. global leadership in financial innovation. The CFTC is inviting stakeholders and the public to submit feedback by October 20, 2025, as it prepares to implement new pilot programs and regulatory updates in line with recommendations from the President’s Working Group and its own Global Markets Advisory Committee. [Source: CFTC]
·cftc.gov·
CFTC Launches Tokenized Collateral and Stablecoins Initiative (CFTC)
Digital Euro May Be Rolled Out in Mid-2029, ECB’s Cipollone Says (Bloomberg)
Digital Euro May Be Rolled Out in Mid-2029, ECB’s Cipollone Says (Bloomberg)
The digital euro could be launched by mid-2029, according to ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone, speaking at a Bloomberg Future of Finance event. A recent agreement among euro-area finance chiefs on customer holding limits has accelerated the project’s momentum, but the initiative’s progress now depends on the European Parliament passing required legislation. Cipollone suggests that the Parliament’s formal position may be ready by early May 2026, with broader agreement among EU member states likely by year-end. [Source: Bloomberg]
·bloomberg.com·
Digital Euro May Be Rolled Out in Mid-2029, ECB’s Cipollone Says (Bloomberg)
Stablecoins and the Future of Money: Economic Principles and Policy Implications (IMK)
Stablecoins and the Future of Money: Economic Principles and Policy Implications (IMK)
The Institut für Makroökonomie und Konjunkturforschung (IMK) published a paper by Peter Bofinger that argues for the integration of national payment systems across European Union (EU) member states as a means of strengthening European payment sovereignty and resilience, particularly in the face of risks posed by foreign-currency stablecoins—most notably those denominated in USD. The rationale is that by unifying fragmented domestic payment infrastructures, the EU can achieve faster, cheaper, and more seamless cross-border transactions for both consumers and businesses, reducing dependence on non-EU payment schemes and lessening the appeal of private stablecoins for euro area payments. This integration would build on the existing Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and extend its ease and efficiency, allowing instant, interoperable euro payments at scale. [Source: IMK]
·imk-boeckler.de·
Stablecoins and the Future of Money: Economic Principles and Policy Implications (IMK)
Toyota, Yamaha, BYD Accept USDT in Bolivia (CoinTelegraph)
Toyota, Yamaha, BYD Accept USDT in Bolivia (CoinTelegraph)
In Bolivia, major dealerships including Toyota, Yamaha, and BYD have begun accepting Tether (USDT) stablecoin payments amid a steep decline in the country’s US dollar reserves and ongoing currency concerns. This shift follows the recent lifting of Bolivia’s ban on crypto use, with businesses and consumers turning to stablecoins for local and international transactions due to the scarcity of dollars and fears over potential boliviano devaluation. The move is supported by crypto services like BitGo and is part of a larger trend toward stablecoin adoption, with some everyday goods now priced in USDT and a “stablecoin circular economy” emerging among importers. [CoinTelegraph]
·cointelegraph.com·
Toyota, Yamaha, BYD Accept USDT in Bolivia (CoinTelegraph)
Pakistan Begins Trial of National Digital Currency (LCCI)
Pakistan Begins Trial of National Digital Currency (LCCI)
Accoording to Lahore Commercial Companies Index (LCCI) the State Bank of Pakistan has reportedly started trials of its central bank digital currency (CBDC). It will accessed via a mobile wallet app, allowing users to make instant payments with QR codes, register using their national identity card, transfer funds through phone numbers, and pay government fees directly. The initiative is designed to enhance regulatory oversight, and reduce fraud risks. [Source: LCCI]
·lcci.pk·
Pakistan Begins Trial of National Digital Currency (LCCI)
The digital euro has enraged half of Brussels
The digital euro has enraged half of Brussels
Politico published an article about how the European Central Bank (ECB) push for a digital euro is provoking controversy across Brussels, especially among banks and right-leaning politicians. The legislative process, led by skeptical European Union (EU) lawmaker Fernando Navarrete, is mired in political debate: privacy advocates demand strong safeguards, some governments insist on offline use. Another ongoing debate is whether banks should be paid for distributing digital euros and ensuring their payment rails accept and profit from digital euro transactions. Also the lEuropean Parliament will have to work with the Council of the European Union, which represents member countries whose ministers are being lobbied by their respective banking industries. The final legislative framework likely won’t be ready before May 2026, so practical rollout is unlikely before 2028. [Source: Politico]
·politico.eu·
The digital euro has enraged half of Brussels
Wholesale Central Bank Money in the Context of Technological Innovation (BIS)
Wholesale Central Bank Money in the Context of Technological Innovation (BIS)
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published a report, produced by a group of seven major central banks, that examines the implications of technological innovation—especially distributed ledger technology (DLT) and tokenization—for wholesale central bank money (CBM) and settlement systems. The report finds that while wholesale CBM has existed for decades in the form of reserves, “wholesale CBM tokens” represent a new technical form enabling programmability and composability, but their fundamental economic function remains unchanged. The report lays out options and trade-offs for central banks, including whether to support private settlement solutions, enhance existing systems, or build new infrastructures—potentially with integration of multiple assets/tokens. While technological advances like DLT could improve efficiency, interoperability, and resilience, the report stresses that choices will differ by jurisdiction and caution is needed to avoid liquidity fragmentation, loss of central bank oversight, and inefficient duplication. Ultimately, central banks must balance innovation, risk management, and policy objectives when considering whether and how to make central bank money available for the settlement of tokenized wholesale transactions, with international cooperation seen as important for navigating trade-offs and possible next steps. [Source: BIS]
·bis.org·
Wholesale Central Bank Money in the Context of Technological Innovation (BIS)
Making Change—Accelerating Payments Innovation (Bank of Canada)
Making Change—Accelerating Payments Innovation (Bank of Canada)

A speech by Ron Morrow, Bank of Canada Executive Director of Payments, Supervision and Oversight, highlights Canada’s need to accelerate payments innovation, noting the country lags behind peers in adopting new technologies, supporting new entrants, and providing faster, cheaper payment options. While cryptocurrency use for payments remains limited due to volatility, stablecoins are gaining traction, especially for cross-border transfers, but require robust regulation to ensure safety. The Bank of Canada emphasizes the importance of balancing speed with security, referencing recent regulatory steps like the Retail Payment Activities Act, which gives the Bank new oversight of payment service providers (PSPs). The speech calls for federal-provincial cooperation, faster rollout of real-time payments (RTR), advancement in open banking, and maintaining consumer trust, positioning the Bank as both a regulator and facilitator for future innovation in payments. [Source: Bank of Canada]

·bankofcanada.ca·
Making Change—Accelerating Payments Innovation (Bank of Canada)
Central Bank Money as a Catalyst for Fungibility: The Case of Stablecoins (ECB)
Central Bank Money as a Catalyst for Fungibility: The Case of Stablecoins (ECB)
The European Central Bank (ECB) published a paper that explores conditions under which stablecoins can be considered as fungible as traditional bank deposits. The paper argues that true fungibility relies on three conditions: settlement finality, interoperability with mainstream payment systems, and seamless convertibility into central bank money. It argues that tokenized funds and off-chain collateralized stablecoins may achieve fungibility when supported by robust governance and regulation, and on-chain collateralized stablecoins can too, provided their collateral is reliably convertible into higher-tier money (e.g., central bank money). In contrast, algorithmic stablecoins lack these structural assurances and cannot be regarded as fungible means of payment. [Source: ECB]
·ecb.europa.eu·
Central Bank Money as a Catalyst for Fungibility: The Case of Stablecoins (ECB)
Deposit Token Makes Blockchain-Based Payments Fit for the Future (SBA)
Deposit Token Makes Blockchain-Based Payments Fit for the Future (SBA)
The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), collaborating with PostFinance, Sygnum Bank, and UBS, piloted a blockchain-based deposit token enabling programmable and compliant payments across Swiss banks. The proof of concept demonstrated secure peer-to-peer and escrow-style asset transfers, with settlement executed through traditional bank infrastructure and full compliance checks. Legally, the deposit token acts as a standardized instruction, not a new form of money, ensuring regulatory alignment as no claims are transferred on-chain. Built on a shared Ethereum smart contract, the system proved technically feasible and compliant but remains dependent on off-chain banking systems and is not fully blockchain-native. The report advocates for future development toward on-chain “native” tokens, direct links with central bank or real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems, and enhanced identity and privacy features to support a scalable and interoperable digital cash ecosystem in Switzerland. [Source: SBA]
·swissbanking.ch·
Deposit Token Makes Blockchain-Based Payments Fit for the Future (SBA)
PayPal to Integrate BTC, ETH, PYSD in P2P Payment Push (CoinTelegraph)
PayPal to Integrate BTC, ETH, PYSD in P2P Payment Push (CoinTelegraph)
PayPal launched "PayPal Links" which lets users easily send or request money via personalized, one-time links that can be shared in any conversation or app. PayPal will soon allow users to send crypto-assets through its peer-to-peer (P2P) platform to PayPal, Venmo, and compatible global digital wallets. The update emphasizes user privacy (no U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1099-K reporting on personal Venmo/PayPal transfers) and instant fund delivery, aiming to make sending money as easy as texting. This move comes alongside PayPal's broader push for global wallet interoperability via the new PayPal World platform, designed to tie billions of wallets together and further scale its payments ecosystem. [Source: https://newsroom.paypal-corp.com/2025-09-15-PayPal-Ushers-in-a-New-Era-of-Peer-to-Peer-Payments,-Reimagining-How-Money-Moves-to-Anyone,-Anywhere]
·cointelegraph.com·
PayPal to Integrate BTC, ETH, PYSD in P2P Payment Push (CoinTelegraph)
Situating Stablecoins in the Payments Landscape (Nic Carter)
Situating Stablecoins in the Payments Landscape (Nic Carter)
Nic Carter posted a paper that explains how stablecoins fit into the broader payments landscape, arguing that they function as a kind of “digital cash” distinct from both traditional banking systems and fintech apps. He describes stablecoins as tokenized representations of fiat currency—especially dollars—circulating on public blockchains, offering self-custodial holding, instant push payments, permissionless access, and programmability. Unlike conventional systems, stablecoins are global, open-loop, and allow both retail and institutional use on a flat architecture (no imposed hierarchy). The article draws strong parallels between stablecoins and physical cash in terms of privacy and bearer status, but notes key differences: stablecoins are scalable, programmable, and can be frozen remotely by issuers in certain circumstances. Carter uses charts and taxonomies to illustrate that stablecoins are unique—a “platypus of payments”—and cannot be precisely mapped to legacy systems like credit cards, wire transfers, or remittance services, filling a gap for a globally accessible, digitally native, private-payment method. [Source: Nic Carter]
·murmurationstwo.substack.com·
Situating Stablecoins in the Payments Landscape (Nic Carter)
Rejecting the Banks’ Deposit Erosion Myth (Coinbase)
Rejecting the Banks’ Deposit Erosion Myth (Coinbase)
Coinbase published an article that argues that claims about stablecoins draining bank deposits and undermining lending are exaggerated and misleading. It states that there’s no solid evidence of stablecoin-induced deposit flight and that most usage of stablecoins is for payments rather than saving, meaning new stablecoins don’t pull dollars directly from banks. The article contends this narrative is fueled by banks seeking to protect their $187 billion annual payments fee revenue and maintain control over a dated, expensive payment ecosystem. The piece suggests that banks are not lacking deposits (noting the $3.3T parked as reserves at the Fed), and if they truly needed funds for lending, they would offer higher rates. [Source: Coinbase]
·coinbase.com·
Rejecting the Banks’ Deposit Erosion Myth (Coinbase)
Revisiting National, Economic, and Monetary Sovereignty (SSRN)
Revisiting National, Economic, and Monetary Sovereignty (SSRN)
In a paper posted on SSRN, Ulrich Bindseil (ex-ECB) and Richard Senner (Swiss National Bank) examine national, economic, and monetary sovereignty, defining sovereignty as the ability of a community to make and implement collective decisions in its people's interest. They argue that sovereignty remains highly relevant despite challenges from globalization, digitalization, and international organizations, as states retain fundamental legislative and enforcement powers, particularly over legal frameworks governing money and finance. They distinguish between domestic sovereignty (freedom from internal impairments like corruption or institutional weakness) and international sovereignty (ability to manage cross-border relations and exclude external interference). The paper gives special attention to monetary sovereignty, which encompasses the state's capacity to regulate currency, conduct monetary policy, and organize payment systems. Drawing on historical analysis from Bodin through Knapp's State Theory of Money, the authors demonstrate that money is fundamentally a legal construct requiring state involvement, while acknowledging ongoing debates between those favoring stronger public roles (progressives) versus market-based solutions (libertarians). They conclude that effective monetary sovereignty—understood normatively as serving societal welfare rather than maximizing state power—requires nations to actively address challenges like payment system dominance by foreign firms, crypto-assets facilitating illicit transactions, and the balance between central bank independence and democratic accountability. [Source: SSRN]
·papers.ssrn.com·
Revisiting National, Economic, and Monetary Sovereignty (SSRN)
Crypto groups hit out at BoE plan to limit stablecoin ownership (FT)
Crypto groups hit out at BoE plan to limit stablecoin ownership (FT)
A Financial Times (FT) article reported that cryptocurrency groups are strongly opposing the Bank of England (BoE) plan to limit how many stablecoins individuals (£10,000–£20,000) and businesses (£10 million) can hold, a step that would make the UK’s rules much stricter than those in the US or EU. The BoE's proposal targets “systemic” stablecoins widely used for payments, citing concerns that large holdings could drain bank deposits and threaten financial stability. Critics argue these caps would be difficult and costly to enforce, disadvantage the UK, and hamper the benefits of stablecoins for payments innovation. Industry leaders and academics say such limits would require complex systems like digital IDs, and warn that regulatory delays are already causing the UK to lose leadership in the digital economy. The central bank says the caps could be transitional, with further consultation planned later this year. [Source: FT]
·ft.com·
Crypto groups hit out at BoE plan to limit stablecoin ownership (FT)
Chilean Central Bank to Start CBDC Proof-of-Concept Work (BCCh)
Chilean Central Bank to Start CBDC Proof-of-Concept Work (BCCh)

[August 5, 2025] The Central Bank of Chile (BCCh) published its annual payment systems report in which it announced that it will develop a proof-of-concept (POC) to study the technology behind a central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the end of 2025. The POC will involve controlled testing and simulated transactions in which the BCCh will be the sole participant. The BCCh began its CBDC work in 2021, and in March 2024 it published a report in which it gave an account of lessons learned from different stakeholders. [Source: BCCh]

·bcentral.cl·
Chilean Central Bank to Start CBDC Proof-of-Concept Work (BCCh)
Tether Unveils its USA₮ U.S.-Regulated Dollar-Backed Stablecoin (Tether)
Tether Unveils its USA₮ U.S.-Regulated Dollar-Backed Stablecoin (Tether)
Tether will issue a new U.S.-regulated stablecoin called USAT, designed to comply with the GENIUS Act. The token, to be issued by Anchorage Digital and leveraging Tether’s proprietary Hadron tokenization platform, is expected to launch by year’s end and will focus on use cases distinct from Tether’s existing USDT. The move marks a major expansion of Tether’s presence in the U.S., following its recent efforts to comply with anti-money laundering and audit requirements. [Source: Tether]
·tether.io·
Tether Unveils its USA₮ U.S.-Regulated Dollar-Backed Stablecoin (Tether)
ING Said to Be Working on a New Stablecoin With Other TradFi and Crypto Firms (Coindesk)
ING Said to Be Working on a New Stablecoin With Other TradFi and Crypto Firms (Coindesk)
[April 12, 2025] Dutch bank ING is reportedly developing a stablecoin in collaboration with other banks and crypto service providers, aiming to leverage the new European cryptocurrency regulations under the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regime. This project could take a consortium form, but progress is slow due to the need for board approvals at multiple institutions. ING’s entry would mean new competition for Société Générale, which already offers a euro stablecoin, and reflects broader institutional interest following regulatory clarity in Europe. [Source: Coindesk]
·coindesk.com·
ING Said to Be Working on a New Stablecoin With Other TradFi and Crypto Firms (Coindesk)
Retailer Stablecoins (David Birch)
Retailer Stablecoins (David Birch)
David Birch posted an article that discusses how major retailers like Walmart and Amazon are exploring issuing their own stablecoins to bypass traditional payment systems and reduce transaction fees, potentially threatening banks' role in payments. Walmart, a key example, has already integrated real-time bank-to-bank payments via its OnePay app and is pushing for faster, instant payments to cut costs and enhance customer experience. The piece notes that retailers, with their massive scale, could benefit from lower payment processing fees and may use stablecoins or direct pay-by-bank methods, with broader adoption spurred by systems like FedNow. It also highlights retailers’ broader fintech ambitions—such as AI shopping assistants, metaverse initiatives, and enabling global transactions for small businesses—arguing these may reshape retail and loyalty. For banks, the article warns that stablecoins could draw deposit funds away, with significant consumer balances already moving to fintech accounts and app wallets, and suggests banks must shift to offering value-added services around identity and data rather than relying on shrinking transaction margins. [Source: David Birch]
·dgwbirch.substack.com·
Retailer Stablecoins (David Birch)
Bolivian Central Bank to Publish CBDC White Paper (Vision360)
Bolivian Central Bank to Publish CBDC White Paper (Vision360)
Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB) reportedly will publish a white paper on a prospective digital boliviano central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the end of September 2025. Motivations for this investigation include modernizing the domestic payment systems and facilitating cross-border transactions. While the BCB is late to the game, central bank officials emphasize that they have completed the necessary groundwork. [Source: Vision360]
·vision360.bo·
Bolivian Central Bank to Publish CBDC White Paper (Vision360)
Federal Reserve Board Payments Innovation Conference (FRB)
Federal Reserve Board Payments Innovation Conference (FRB)
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board (FRB) will host a conference on payments innovation on October 21, 2025, to bring together a range of interested parties to discuss how to further innovate and improve the payments system. The conference will feature panel discussions on the convergence of traditional and decentralized finance, emerging stablecoin use cases and business models, the intersection of artificial intelligence and payments, and the tokenization of financial products and services. [Source: FRB]
·federalreserve.gov·
Federal Reserve Board Payments Innovation Conference (FRB)
ECB President Calls to Address Risks from Non-EU Stablecoins (Cointelegraph)
ECB President Calls to Address Risks from Non-EU Stablecoins (Cointelegraph)
European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde called for stronger regulation of non-EU stablecoins, warning that gaps in oversight could threaten European Union (EU) financial stability. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) addresses some of these risks by requiring stablecoin issuers to allow redemption at par value and to hold substantial bank reserves. However, there are gaps, especially with multi-issuer stablecoins involving both EU and non-EU entities. In such cases in the event of a run, investors would naturally prefer to redeem in the jurisdiction with the strongest safeguards, which is likely to be the EU, where MiCAR also prohibits redemption fees. But the reserves held in the EU may not be sufficient to meet such concentrated demand. She calls for stronger, coordinated international regulatory safeguards to prevent regulatory arbitrage and ensure stability. https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/key/date/2025/html/ecb.sp250903~10647505c7.en.html
·cointelegraph.com·
ECB President Calls to Address Risks from Non-EU Stablecoins (Cointelegraph)
Turkish Central Bank Call to Join the Digital Lira Project (CBRT)
Turkish Central Bank Call to Join the Digital Lira Project (CBRT)
The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) announced an open call for private sector entities to join the second phase of its Digital Turkish Lira Research and Development Project. The focus will be on developing innovative central bank digital currency (CBDC) applications in such areas as tokenization, programmable payments, self-sovereign identity, interoperability with existing systems, and machine-to-machine payments. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in sandbox experiments with the CBRT and its technology partners, furthering the development of digital currency infrastructure in Turkey. [Source: CBRT]
·tcmb.gov.tr·
Turkish Central Bank Call to Join the Digital Lira Project (CBRT)
Stablecoins are not the future of international payments
Stablecoins are not the future of international payments
The Banker published an article by Ousmene Mandeng that contends that stablecoins are unlikely to become the standard for international payments due to their inability to pay interest, exposure to issuer and credit risks, and a lack of proven efficacy in cross-border settlements. Instead, it advocates for tokenised money market fund shares as a superior alternative. These blockchain-based instruments offer direct claims on underlying assets, reduced risks, and regular interest payments, making them safer and more efficient for foreign exchange and international payment settlements. The piece concludes that while regulatory and operational changes are needed, tokenised funds are better positioned than stablecoins to meet the demands of future global payments.
·thebanker.com·
Stablecoins are not the future of international payments
Japan Post Bank to Consider Handling Tokenized Deposits (JPB)
Japan Post Bank to Consider Handling Tokenized Deposits (JPB)
Japan Post Bank (JPB) is considering offering blockchain-based tokenized deposits to customers by March 31, 2026 (the end of its fiscal year), aiming to enable instant and transparent settlement of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and securities tokens. They will be eligible for deposit insurance. They will use a platform provided by DeCurret DCP. [Source: JPB]
·jp-bank.japanpost.jp·
Japan Post Bank to Consider Handling Tokenized Deposits (JPB)
Is Programmable CBDC Money from an Ontology of Money Perspective? (Safe Bank)
Is Programmable CBDC Money from an Ontology of Money Perspective? (Safe Bank)
A paper by Łukasz Hardt explores various philosophical theories about the nature of money and examines how these theories impact our understanding and development of programmable Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). It compares traditional and contemporary ontological perspectives, such as commodity-based, social constructivist, and abstract views of money, and discusses their relevance for digital innovations in central banking. By connecting theory to recent technological advances, the article highlights that a clear grasp of money’s fundamental nature is crucial for designing effective and widely accepted programmable CBDCs. [Source: Safe Bank]
·ojs.bfg.pl·
Is Programmable CBDC Money from an Ontology of Money Perspective? (Safe Bank)
Bank of Korea Plans to Use CBDC to Distribute Government Subsidies (Hankook)
Bank of Korea Plans to Use CBDC to Distribute Government Subsidies (Hankook)
The Bank of Korea reportedly plans to use wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) to back the distribution of over $79 billion in government subsidies in the second phase of the "Han River Project". This move, proposed by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, is aimed at making subsidy payments more efficient and transparent by issuing CBDC-based tokenized bank deposits to contractors instead of traditional vouchers or bank transfers. By leveraging blockchain technology, the initiative seeks to reduce fraud and improve the tracking of public funds, and it marks a significant shift from a previous pause in CBDC testing.[Source: Hankook]
·hankookilbo.com·
Bank of Korea Plans to Use CBDC to Distribute Government Subsidies (Hankook)