Global Surge in CBDC Development: 134 Countries Now Exploring Digital Currencies

New data shows that 134 countries, representing 98% of global GDP, are now exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), with 66 nations advancing to pilot or development stages. Every G20 nation is engaged in CBDC efforts, with notable leaders such as China and the European nations pushing forward. The U.S. remains lagging behind Europe and … Read more

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 … Read more

Bank of Russia to Launch Digital Ruble Payment Infrastructure by July 2025

The Bank of Russia aims to open the payment infrastructure for the Russian central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, by July next year. Larger banks will offer digital ruble accounts and services by this deadline, with smaller institutions following later. The initiative seeks to enhance payment efficiency and reduce costs, with retailers also … Read more

Swift Unveils Plan to Integrate Digital Assets and Currencies Into Global Payment Network

Swift has unveiled a plan to enable the movement of digital assets and currencies on its global payment network. The initiative aims to integrate regulated digital currencies into Swift’s platform, building on past experiments. “We’re paving the way towards real-world solutions that will enable our members to access and transact with regulated digital assets and … Read more

China’s Digital Yuan Nears $1 Trillion in Transactions, PBOC Official Reveals

China’s digital yuan initiative has advanced considerably, backed by over a decade of research and four years of pilot experimentation, according to Lu Lei, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC). Trials for the Chinese central bank digital currency (CBDC) have been conducted in 17 different areas, accumulating a total transaction value of … Read more

North Carolina Rejects Federal Digital Currency, Overrides Governor’s Veto

The North Carolina General Assembly has overridden Governor Roy Cooper’s veto to enact a bill prohibiting a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the state. The Senate voted 27-17, securing the required supermajority. The bill bars payments using CBDC and state participation in Federal Reserve testing. This bill reflects strong opposition to CBDCs and emphasizes … Read more