BoE looking for help with its offline CBDC research and PoC work

The Bank of England is looking for a specialist supplier to help them with their offline central bank digital currency (CBDC) research and proof of concept (PoC) work. The process of applying is a bit wonky because thy’ve delegated it to the UK government’s digital supplier procurement system, and if you or your firm are not already on their supplier list, tough luck. And tough luck for the Bank too, because the “supply” of offline digital currency experts is rather thin, and most probably aren’t already be on the list. [Read the RFP here and the list of suppliers here]

Israeli government to trial blockchain bonds with stock exchange TASE

The Israeli Ministry of Finance and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) announced plans for a proof of concept to issue government bonds using blockchain. Protocol developer VMWare and custody provider Fireblocks will be part of this Project Eden. The blockchain system will be developed by TASE and involve live tests with local and international banks, with settlement using digital currency in an Israeli state e-wallet. [Read more at Ledger Insights]

Nubank launches its own cryptocurrency running on Polygon

Brazil’s Nubank is launching Nucoin, its own cryptocurrency on the Polygon blockchain network in the first half of 2023. It will be distributed free of charge to customers as the basis for the creation of a rewards program in Brazil. Polygon is an Ethereum scaling blockchain that enhances the functionality of Ethereum while retaining the base layer’s security and decentralization. [Read more at Nubank]

UK to introduce legislation conferring legality on digital documents on blockchain

The UK government has introduced has introduced a new bill into Parliament that bestows legal status on paperless documentation used in international trade. Under the Electronic Trade Documents Bill, digital trade documents will be put on the same legal footing as their paper-based equivalents to give UK business more choice and flexibility in how they trade. The Bill will reduce admin costs, make it easier for British firms to buy and sell internationally, and cut processing times for electronic documents to 20 seconds. [Read more on the UK government website]

API standards for data-sharing (account aggregator)

This BIS Consultative Group on Innovation and the Digital Economy (CGIDE) report presents three models for data sharing: centralised, decentralised and trust – and develops the user interactions and their data flows. Additionally, the report presents account aggregator functionality and possible arrangements for implementation in the open finance ecosystem. Finally, it shows the successful implementation of a demo based on a microservices architecture that promotes high availability, scalability and resilience. [Read more at the BIS]

Tornado Cash Is not free speech. It’s a Golem

Henry Farrell and Bruce Schneier argue that tying free speech arguments to the cause of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) like Tornado Cash imperils some of the important free speech victories that were won in the past. But the risks for everyone might be even greater if that argument wins. A world where democratic governments are unable to enforce their laws is not a world where civic spaces or civil liberties will thrive. [Read more at Lawfare]

Kiffmeister’s Global Central Bank Digital Currency Monthly Monitor

Just a reminder that I produce a monthly digest of central bank digital currency (CBDC) developments exclusively for the official sector. So for any of you out there who work for a central bank, ministry of finance or international financial institution who would like to receive it by email on the first business day of every month, please DM me on LinkedIn or email me at chronicles@kiffmeister.com.