When Will Stablecoins Break Out of ‘Crypto-Narnia’?
A new R3 research paper, “Will Businesses Ever Use Stablecoins?” identifies where stablecoins may fulfil needs within the established financial system.
Open Financial Protocol Neutral Launches New Stablecoin
To maintain its value, NUSD rebalances the basket’s composition according to price fluctuations and allows on-chain swapping between stablecoins within its aggregated constituent basket.
Should Central Banks issue Digital Currencies? (Video)
Spring Meetings Session on the "Whys" of central bank digital currency.
CBDC for Financial Inclusion - Design Considerations (Video)
IMF/WB Spring Meetings Fintech Workshop on central bank digital currency design considerations.
Cambodia's National Bank Working on Blockchain-Based Payment System Renewal
The National Bank of Cambodia's Project Bakong is a Hyperledger Iroha-based payment system renewal project. A pilot with dozens of banks will soon be launched. The ultimate target is to provide instant payments via a mobile app.
Central Banks and the Future of Money | C.D. Howe Institute
Central banks around the world are now giving serious consideration to the pros and cons of making central bank digital currencies available to the general public, says a new study from the C.D. Howe Institute.
Review of BIS Survey on Central Bank Digital Currency
This review concludes that the usefulness of the BIS's recently released survey on CBDC derives from three factors; comprehensive coverage, quantifiable results and segmentation between developed economies and emerging markets.
World’s Fifth Largest Bank MUFG to Put Stablecoin to Practical Use in 2019
Japanese bank holding and financial services company Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is set to put its digital currency MUFG Coin into practical use later this year.
Carbon Partners with Karma to Provide Fiat On / Off Ramp and Market Making Service
"Carbon’s modular fiat on / off ramp, Carbon Fiber, will be utilized by Karma in order to offer their users a convenient way to convert fiat to cryptocurrencies. Apart from the core on / off ramp capability, Karma users will also be able to utilize a mobile pay portal to convert multiple types of cryptocurrencies into KARMA tokens in a seamless fashion."
How Many Stablecoins Are There?
With 147 projects announced throughout the year, 2018 was dubbed the year of stablecoins. This year, the rate of stablecoin announcements has stabilized , with 19 diverse projects announced throughout the first quarter of 2019.
Meet the Universal Euro – Universal Protocol
UPEUR is a stablecoin pegged at a 1:1 ratio with the Euro. Once a Universal Euro has been minted, a record of this transaction is recorded on the Ethereum blockchain. It will be Euro-pegged, and available directly on Uphold and other participating exchanges.
Kinesis Currencies Now Sharia Law Compliant
"This review has resulted in Kinesis being awarded a Sharia-compliant certificate for the Kinesis Velocity Token (KVT), Kinesis currencies (KAU and KAG), the Kinesis Blockchain Network (KBN) and the Kinesis Currency Exchange (KCX)."
BoE evaluating ‘utility’ cash distribution model
"In a utility model, the distribution and handling of banknotes and coins is more consolidated and may be handled by a single large firm. The utility is often owned and operated by banks and other market participants with the central bank’s participation. Both Finland and Sweden have deployed such a system, and the Netherlands is planning to implement something similar."
Real-time-payments monopoly puts financial system at risk
"The Federal Reserve Board is considering a decision about the future of digital banking that goes well beyond the narrow question of whether now is the time to transition to immediate payments. The board will decide whether the Federal Reserve will continue to play an operation role in digital payments."
Tunisian central bank explores digital dinar
Tunisia is looking to be a pioneer in implementing blockchain as the country’s central bank explores the use of the technology for a national digital dinar.
New report evaluates stablecoin contenders and the sector’s likely evolution
A new report from Techemy Capital identifies winning and losing business models, explores underwriting options beyond "cash in the bank" and predicts the likely stablecoin market evolution through to 2022.
Chinese Bitcoin Investors Are Happily Paying a Markup For Tethers
The Tether (USDT) premium is going up because after the PBoC ICO/exchange ban, the most convenient way to buy cryptos in China, is to buy stable coins like USDT first using OTC, and then trade it into any cryptos on exchanges.
Interest-yielding stablecoins drive crypto competition with fiat currency
By forming partnerships with lenders, fiat-backed stablecoin issuers can earn additional income loaning out the funds in a similar manner to a bank. The return from these loans can then be shared with holders who are willing to store their stablecoins with the trusted partner.
Now There's a Canadian Dollar-Pegged Stablecoin on the Way
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinsquare is launching a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the Canadian dollar. The exchange plans potential roles for its new “eCAD” token in cross-border payments and remittance, peer-to-peer lending, merchant payment solutions, as well as trade settlements and forex conversions.
Commercial Bank & Central Bank Digital Currencies: Prudential Treatments
This IIF paper outlines some of the important policy issues around the prudential regulation treatment of commercial and central bank digital instruments that will need to be considered further, illustrated by some potential scenarios.
National Bank of Cambodia to deploy blockchain payments system in 2019 - Central Banking
"The National Bank of Cambodia looks set to be one of the first central banks to use blockchain technology in its national payment system, according to a report released by the World Economic Forum."
Why Stablecoins are dangerous and are Swiss Franc Stablecoins safe
"Strangely, the promoters behind two new stablecoins seem to understand the inherent dangers behind these crypto assets. To clarify, ROCKZ and Smart Valor are planning stablecoins they will peg to the Swiss Franc."
Over 40 Central Banks Are Considering Blockchain Currencies: Davos Report - CoinDesk
More than 40 central banks worldwide are experimenting with blockchain technology, including central bank digital currencies, says a new report by the World Economic Forum.
Maker Price Analysis - Dai may be poised to become the stablecoin of choice for ETH users » Brave New Coin
"Dai may also be poised to become the stablecoin of choice for ETH users, for a variety of reasons. An upcoming Coinbase listing, the potential for ICOs denominated in Dai, payroll sent in Dai, and dApps like Augur using Dai, all point to the need for Dai or something similar in the future."
Pakistan Central Bank Eyes Digital Currency Launch by 2025
Pakistan's central bank is considering the launch of a digital currency by 2025, in order to promote financial inclusion and reduce inefficiency and corruption. The central bank is also planning to make its services fully digitized and technology equipped by the year 2030.
The War on Cashless Stores | AIER
" There are better options than bans on cashless stores. Rather than imposing banknote acceptance by force, why not work towards improving the product? If cash were better, then store owners and consumers might choose to deal in it of their own accord."
Prepaid debit cards. The other anonymous payments method
"When it comes to financial privacy, good old fashioned banknotes and privacy cryptocurrencies like Zcash & Monero get all the attention. But let's not forget about prepaid debit cards."
What is CementDAO?
Cement is a basket of many stablecoins. Stablecoin holders can deposit their stablecoins into the Cement Mixer (that’s what we’re calling the basket), to benefit from increased liquidity, greater stability and protection from risk. The MIXR provides on demand liquidity and a decentralized exchange for stablecoins. Depositing a stablecoin in the Mixer allows you to seamlessly exchange it for any other stablecoin in the Mixer. For example, a holder of TUSD can easily pay a provider that only accepts DAI. USD-pegged stablecoins (e.g. TUSD, USDT, DAI) deposited in the mix are hedged from risk, become fungible and benefit from pooled liquidity sources. Cement creates a marketplace for risk. Users are protected from the risk of failure of any of the underlying stablecoins and from diversification of their exposure. They also have the option to earn returns by absorbing this risk. These rewards are paid out from the fees collected by the Mixer.
Fintech in Latin America and the Caribbean: Stocktaking
"This paper documents the evolution of fintech in LAC. In particular, the paper focuses on financial development, fintech landscape for domestic and cross border payments and alternative financing, cybersecurity, financial integrity and stability risks, regulatory responses, and considerations for central bank digital currencies."
Cash Use Across Countries and the Demand for Central Bank Digital Currency
"The level and trend in cash use in a country will influence the demand for central bank digital currency (CBDC). While access to digital currency will be more convenient than traveling to an ATM, it only makes CBDC like a bank debit card—not better. "