In a move to improve traditional cross-border payments, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has announced the launch of Project Rialto. This project aims to enhance instant cross-border payments by integrating a modular foreign exchange (FX) component with settlement in wholesale central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The initiative, a collaboration between the BIS Innovation Hub […]
The South African Reserve Bank has reportedly decided not to unveil the findings of the initial phase of its central bank digital currency feasibility study. Instead, the central bank said it is currently focused on the second phase of the study and will release a report once it is satisfied with the progress made in […]
The Central Bank of Brazil announced the postponement of the completion of the drex pilot, the Brazilian CBDC, due to the inefficiency of the privacy solutions presented for the project so far. The pilot will have a new phase, finalized in 2025, and will also feature the implementation of smart contracts to nurture use cases […]
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has released a report on its Retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot project, conducted using Giesecke+Devrient’s (G+D) technology solution. The project tested the digital version of the Baht and its potential for financial innovation, delivering key lessons on the capabilities of a CBDC in supporting multiple online and offline […]
A recent research paper from the National Bank of Rwanda recommends a two-tier, universal, zero-interest central bank digital currency (CBDC) with partial pseudo-anonymity. Although the research paper identifies 15 opportunities for CBDC, only four are said to offer “high potential benefits and limited alternative choices to obtain similar advantages.” Research Paper Identifies 15 CBDC Opportunities […]