Rwanda Develops CBDC to Avoid Falling Behind, Central Bank Deputy Governor Says

Rwanda is contemplating launching a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) because it does not want to be left behind and to prevent any hindrances to trade between the African country and its major trading partners. According to a deputy governor with the National Bank of Rwanda, the country should be prepared for digital currencies being … Read more

BIS Plans Instant Cross-Border Payments Using Wholesale CBDC Settlement

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 … Read more

China and UAE Praise Potential Role of CBDCs in Cross-Border Trade

China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have acknowledged the crucial role of central bank digital currency (CBDC) in facilitating cross-border trade and investment. In a joint statement, the two countries expressed their commitment to deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation with respect to their CBDCs. China also expressed appreciation for the UAE’s recent direct cross-border … Read more

Bank of Israel Launches Digital Shekel Challenge

The Bank of Israel has announced the Digital Shekel Challenge, inviting various entities — private companies, public sector organizations, and academic institutions — to participate in the digital shekel’s experimental environment. The initiative aims to foster the development of innovative payment solutions using the digital shekel, leveraging its Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Participants are expected … Read more

South African Central Bank Opts Against Publishing CBDC Study Findings

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 … Read more

Brazilian CBDC Pilot Postponed to 2025 Due to Inefficiency of Privacy Solutions

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 … Read more

US House Passes Central Bank Digital Currency Anti-Surveillance State Act

The House of Representatives has passed Congressman Tom Emmer’s CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, which prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a surveillance-oriented central bank digital currency (CBDC). The lawmaker emphasized that the bill protects American values of privacy and individual sovereignty, countering potential governmental overreach. CBDC Anti-Surveillance Act Clears House Following the passage of the … Read more

World Bank to Issue CHF Digital Bond Settled Using Swiss Franc Central Bank Digital Currency

The World Bank has announced that it will issue its first CHF digital bond on June 11. This 7-year, CHF 200 million ($219 million) bond is the largest CHF issuance by the World Bank since 2009. It utilizes distributed ledger technology and settles using Swiss Franc wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) from the Swiss … Read more