81 Countries Are Now Exploring Central Bank Digital Currencies — 5 CBDCs Fully Launched

Eighty-one countries are now exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), according to a new tracker. This number is 46 more countries than the number in May last year. In addition, five countries have fully launched their own digital currencies. 81 Central Banks Explore Launching Own Digital Currencies The Atlantic Council’s Geoeconomics Center unveiled a new … Read more

IMF, World Bank, BIS Recommend Countries Work Together on CBDCs to Enhance Cross-Border Payments

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) have conducted an extensive study of using central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) for cross-border payments. Their report to the G20 states that enhanced cross-border payments “can be achieved … as long as countries work together.” The Committee on Payments and … Read more

11% of Central Bankers Consider ‘Cryptocurrencies Like Bitcoin’ Gold Alternatives: UBS Survey

A UBS survey finds that central bankers see benefits in investing in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. 28% see benefits from cryptocurrency being an uncorrelated asset and “11% would consider it as an alternative to gold.” Central Bankers See Benefits in Investing in Cryptocurrencies Like Bitcoin The 27th Annual Reserve Management Seminar Survey by UBS explores the … Read more

George Soros’ Investment Fund Is Reportedly Trading Bitcoin Products

The Hungarian-born American billionaire investor George Soros’ investment fund is actively trading bitcoin investment products, according to reports. Undisclosed sources reveal that bitcoin trading got the green light from the Soros Fund Management chief investment officer (CIO) Dawn Fitzpatrick. Soros Fund Management Reportedly Has ‘Greenlight’ to Trade Bitcoin At the end of March, Bitcoin.com News … Read more

Bank of Ghana ‘in the Advanced Stages of Introducing a Digital Currency’— Governor Repeats Anti-Cryptocurrency Claims

The governor of Ghana’s central bank, Ernest Addison, has said his institution is now “in the advanced stages of introducing a digital currency.” However, before its release into circulation, the digital currency—which is also known as the “e-cedi”— will first have to go “through three phases.” Bank of Ghana’s Embrace of Emerging Fintechs In his … Read more

South Africa Reserve Bank Commences Retail CBDC Feasibility Study

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) says it has commenced a feasibility study for a general-purpose retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). The study, which the SARB expects to conclude in 2022, will focus on the issuance of a domestic CBDC that can be used by consumers in South Africa for general retail purposes. Study … Read more

Kazakhstan Is Preparing the Launch of a CBDC Pilot With Private Financial Companies

Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are steadily becoming a serious discussion among governments globally, with Kazakhstan as the latest country unveiling its plans. The National Bank of Kazakhstan is making preparations to launch a CBDC pilot program soon. The National Bank Released a Public Consultation Paper According to the announcement published on their website, the … Read more

Soros CIO: Central Bank Digital Currencies a Real Threat to Crypto but Won’t Permanently Destabilize Bitcoin

Soros Fund Management’s chief investment officer (CIO) says that central bank digital currencies are a potential threat to bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies but it will only be temporary. She also says that bitcoin is taking some of gold’s buyer base away. Crypto’s ‘Inflection Point’ Soros Fund Management Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Dawn Fitzpatrick talked about … Read more

Jamaica Plans to Pilot a Central Bank Crypto, CBDC to Work Alongside Notes and Coinage

While a number of countries are working on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), on Tuesday, the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) announced it will soon be piloting a CBDC project. The BoJ is working with a firm called Ecurrency Mint Incorporated and plans to pilot the cryptocurrency in May. Jamaican CBDC to Pilot this May Jamaica, … Read more

Bitcoin Has No Intrinsic Value, Asset Is Too Volatile, Says Bank of Korea Governor

Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol has said that crypto assets like bitcoin have no intrinsic value – put simply, a measure of what an asset is actually worth. ● Speaking in the National Assembly on Feb. 23, Lee forecast that bitcoin (BTC) will see increased price swings going forward, the local news agency Yonhap … Read more