The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has moved into Phase 2 of its e-HKD pilot program, expanding its exploration into tokenized deposits and e-HKD. With 11 groups of firms selected, the initiative delves into practical applications such as offline payments and asset settlement. The creation of an industry forum aims to solve potential challenges while […]
Nigerian Currency Plunges After Central Bank Rate Hike
The Nigerian Naira weakened significantly against the U.S. dollar following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to hike interest rates for the fifth time this year. The naira dropped to NGN1,658 per dollar on the official foreign exchange market after the CBN increased the benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points. On the parallel […]
Zimbabwe’s Central Bank to Shield Gold-Backed Currency From Market Volatility
Zimbabwe’s central bank governor, John Mushayavanhu, has stated that the bank might use its foreign currency reserves to protect the Zimbabwe Gold (zig) from severe market disruptions. He also pledged to maintain a tight monetary policy to ensure stable inflation and exchange rates. The zig, a gold-backed currency, has experienced a decline in value against […]
BRICS Beats Dollar Dependence: National Currency Settlements Exceed USD Payments
The BRICS bloc might have already overcome its dollar-dependence problem, as the volume of settlements in the national currencies of its member nations has already surpassed the USD-based exchanges. Using the U.S. dollar can lead to expenses that can be avoided when paying with other currencies, BRICS Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and […]
Russian Central Bank Eyes Digital Currency to Overcome Cross-Border Payment Obstacles
Elvira Nabiullina, head of Russia’s central bank, has highlighted challenges in cross-border settlements, including payment issues and falling trade volumes. She emphasized the importance of finding new solutions, such as using digital currencies and cooperating with global partners, to address these issues. Russia Faces Cross-Border Payment Issues Amid Declining Trade Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira […]