Norway’s Central Bank on CBDC Progress: We’re Not Falling Behind

Norway’s central bank is on track to decide by 2025 whether to adopt a central bank digital currency (CBDC), but officials stress there’s no urgency. Despite Norway’s cashless society, with only 2% using cash, the bank is carefully studying both retail and wholesale CBDC options, emphasizing complex issues and the need for collaboration with other … Read more

Global Finance Faces a Shift as Mbridge Digital Currency Platform Challenges US Dollar

The People’s Bank of China emphasized the Mbridge platform’s role in improving cross-border payments through the use of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), aiming to reduce inefficiencies and avoid new barriers. The platform, which targets underserved regions like ASEAN, could reshape global finance and challenge the U.S. dollar’s dominance while requiring careful coordination to maintain … Read more

Digital Ruble and Sanctions: Expert Analyzes Russia’s Digital Currency Plan to Evade Western Control

A Fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and former adviser at the Central Bank of Russia has weighed in on the digital ruble, Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), highlighting its potential role in reshaping Russia’s financial landscape amid sanctions. While the digital currency could offer new avenues for trade and reduce reliance on … Read more

US Senator Sounds Alarm on 3 Major Crypto Threats — Could Digital Assets Be in Danger?

Utah Republican senator Mike Lee outlined three major regulatory risks to the cryptocurrency industry at the recent Permissionless III crypto conference. They are the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), fragmented state regulations, and heavy federal oversight. He warned these could threaten the digital assets sector, saying, “Cryptocurrency is not a security. Cryptocurrency … Read more

Blackrock CEO Larry Fink Declares Bitcoin an Asset Class, Rivaling Gold in Investment Potential

Blackrock CEO Larry Fink has emphasized bitcoin’s growing legitimacy as an investment, calling it an alternative to commodities like gold. “We believe bitcoin is an asset class in itself,” said the CEO of the world’s largest asset manager. Fink downplayed regulatory changes, arguing broader acceptance and liquidity will drive market expansion. With the firm’s bitcoin … Read more

Brazillian Central Bank Invites New Participants to CBDC Pilot Program

The Brazilian Central Bank is opening the drex CBDC pilot to new entrants, aiming to test more advanced use cases and privacy solutions for the project’s second phase. Thirteen use cases have been confirmed, including carbon credits, agricultural bonds, and foreign trade platforms. Brazilian Central Banks Opens CBDC Pilot to New Consortiums Brazil is preparing … Read more

Ripple Wins Platinum for Best Cross-Border Payments Platform at Future Digital Awards 2024

Ripple has been named a Platinum Winner for Best Cross-Border Payments Platform in Juniper Research’s 2024 Future Digital Awards for Fintech & Payments. Other winners included Huawei for mobile money, SAP Fioneer for banking-as-a-service, and Paymentology for embedded finance, highlighting a year of varied fintech advancements. Ripple Wins at 2024 Future Digital Awards Juniper Research … Read more