Bank of Spain Greenlights Euro-Backed Stablecoin Token Pilot Program

The Bank of Spain has given approval for the launch of a pilot program involving the issuance and usage of euro-pegged stablecoins. The program, which MONEI, a fintech institution, is launching, will allow users to issue digital euros with fiat deposits in order to experiment with these in payment applications, increasing their transparency. Bank of … Read more

ECB’s Fabio Panetta: Unbacked Cryptos Are a ‘Vehicle for Gambling’ Lacking ‘Intrinsic Value’

Fabio Panetta, part of the Executive Committee of the European Central Bank (ECB), believes that unbacked cryptocurrency assets are vehicles for gambling without intrinsic value, which need to be regulated. In an opinion piece, Panetta states that while cryptocurrency regulation is a good answer to the problem, it must also touch on decentralized finance structures. … Read more

ECB to Decide Whether to Issue Digital Euro in 2023

The European Central Bank (ECB) has published a new report on the progress of its investigation into the possible launch of a digital euro. The research will continue next year with the regulator planning to make a decision whether to proceed to the realization of the project in the fall of 2023. ECB to Develop … Read more

Rate Hikes Needed to Reduce Eurozone Inflation Despite Recession, Top ECB Official Says

Interest rates will continue to rise while the euro area falls into recession, a high-ranking executive at the European Central Bank (ECB) has indicated. His statements follow the latest rate increase announced by the monetary authority last week and revised projections showing higher than previously expected inflation in Europe ahead. ‘We Have No Choice But … Read more

ECB Hikes Interest Rates by 50bps; Signals Need for Further Hikes to Fight Inflation

The European Central Bank (ECB) decided to hike three of its key interest rates by 50 basis points (0.5%) as part of its ongoing war against inflation. The organization stated that further increases are likely to happen “because inflation remains far too high and is projected to stay above the target for too long.” ECB … Read more

European Union to Put a 10,000-Euro Limit on Cash Payments; Transactions Over €1,000 in Crypto Will Be Scrutinized

The states of the European Union have convened to establish a new limit on cash purchases and to strengthen the controls on cryptocurrency transactions. On Nov. 6 the bloc agreed to put a limit of €10,000 ($10,557) on cash payments and to exert stronger oversight on crypto transactions of over 1,000 euros ($1,055). European Union … Read more

ECB Blog Post Insists This Is ‘Bitcoin’s Last Stand,’ Officials Claim BTC Is Headed Toward ‘Irrelevance’

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, a blog post published by the European Central Bank (ECB) discusses bitcoin and the authors Ulrich Bindseil and Jürgen Schaaf seem to believe its “bitcoin’s last stand.” The ECB authors further say that while bitcoin’s price has consolidated and stabilized, the central bank officials remarked that “it is an artificially … Read more

Brussels to Put Out Digital Euro Law Shortly, ECB’s Lagarde Says

The European Commission is going to present a legislative proposal for a digital euro in the near future, President of European Central Bank Christine Lagarde has indicated. EU legislators are expected to define the new currency’s legal tender status and determine its privacy features. EU Commission to Propose Legislation for Eurozone’s Digital Currency Authorities in … Read more

ECB Raises Benchmark Rate by 75bps and Tones Down Long-Term Refinancing Operations

On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced the central bank’s third consecutive benchmark bank rate increase this year, raising the rate by 75 basis points (bps). In addition to the rate hike, the ECB changed the central bank’s targeted longer-term refinancing operations terms and conditions noting that they need to be “recalibrated.” ECB Hikes … Read more

FX Strategists From Citi Say Euro Could Sink to $0.86 if Macro Turmoil Continues

While the euro has found support between 0.96 to 0.97 nominal U.S. dollars per unit, foreign exchange (FX) strategists from Citi believe the euro could tap a low of around $0.86 against the greenback. While the dollar slumped on October 13, the fiat currency is rising again and market strategists from Citi argue that the … Read more