Iran’s Crypto Rial Project Enters Trial Phase

The pre-trial stage of the project to introduce a digital Iranian rial has been completed successfully, the country’s central bank announced. The authorities in Tehran plan to expand the use of the state-backed currency and integrate it into Iran’s payment system. Iranian Government Prepares to Trial Its Digital Currency The project to issue a digital … Read more

Bank of Russia to Start Testing Digital Ruble With Real Users on April 1

The Central Bank of Russia plans to launch test operations with digital ruble transactions between real customers at the beginning of April. More than a dozen banks will join the upcoming stage of the pilot project, a high-ranking representative of the bank announced to Russian media. Russia’s Monetary Authority to Trial Actual Settlements With Digital … Read more

Banks in Russia to Lose $700 Million a Year Due to Digital Ruble, Experts Say

Russian banks may be the main losers from the introduction of a digital ruble while retailers will save on acquiring fees, analysts have predicted. The benefits for consumers using the new digital currency are not that obvious as they may not be paid any interest or cashback. Launch of Russia’s Digital Ruble Said to Result … Read more

Georgia Prepares to Launch Digital Lari Pilot in First Half of 2023

The central bank of Georgia intends to publish a document detailing the concept of a national digital currency in the coming months. Other participating parties will use it to finalize their proposals for the pilot which the monetary authority plans to initiate in the first half of the year. Financial Authorities in Georgia Gear Up … Read more

Bank of Russia Outlines Payment Models With Digital Ruble, Other CBDCs

The Central Bank of Russia has detailed two methods for implementing the digital ruble and other state-backed coins in international settlements. The monetary authority also plans to start testing consumer-to-business (C2B) operations in the first quarter of the year. Russia’s Central Bank to Propose Platforms for Digital Currency Payments in Foreign Trade Moving forward with … Read more

China’s Digital Yuan Little Used, Former Central Bank Official Says

Trials of the digital yuan have produced disappointing results, according to a report quoting the former head of research at the Chinese central bank. The new form of national fiat has brought no benefits to the banks and should expand beyond being employed only as a substitute for cash, the banker believes. Common People Used … Read more

Central Bank of Turkey Reports First Payment Transactions on Digital Lira Network

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) has conducted the first payment transactions on the test network of the digital lira. The monetary authority intends to proceed with more testing in 2023 and plans to invite banks and fintech companies to join the trials. Turkey to Widen Participation in Digital Lira Project, Focus … Read more

National Bank of Kazakhstan Publishes Whitepaper for Digital Tenge

The central bank of Kazakhstan has completed the second phase of testing for its digital currency and published a whitepaper. The studies carried out by the regulator on its introduction did not identify significant risks for the country’s financial stability and economy. Monetary Authority of Kazakhstan Reports on Advance of Digital Tenge Pilot Project The … Read more

Chinese Digital Currency Transactions Exceed 100 Billion Yuan, Central Bank Says

Spending with China’s state-issued digital currency has surpassed 100 billion yuan, close to $14 billion, by the end of August, the country’s monetary authority revealed. More than 5 million merchants now accept the digital yuan in 15 Chinese regions as Beijing continues to expand the pilot areas. People’s Bank of China Reports 360 Million Digital … Read more