CBDC ’human rights’ tracker revealed at Oslo Freedom Forum
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has launched a portal dedicated to tracking the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and how they relate to violations of civil liberties and human rights. It came out of an eight-month fellowship at the HRF announced in January 2023 and awarded to Cato Institute policy analyst Nick Anthony, researcher Janine Romer and podcaster Matthew Mezinskis. It is expected to become fully functional in November 2023, but it has launched a tip line and has published educational material. [Read more at CBDCHumanrights.org]
Ripple partners with Colombia’s central bank to explore blockchain use cases
Ripple is partnering with Colombia’s central bank to explore blockchain technology use cases. Banco de la República, in conjunction with The Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) will pilot use cases that will enhance Colombia’s high-value payment system using the Ripple CBDC Platform, powered by the XRP Ledger (XRPL). The pilot will be run with Spain-based blockchain technology firm Peersyst Technology. [Read more at Ripple]
Payments Canada further delays real-time payment launch
Payments Canada will conduct a second review of its proposed Real-Time Rail (RTR) payments system, delaying delivery further. A third party delivery assurance review, focused on program management, people and processes, has recommended additional testing and investments to ensure ongoing operations once the RTR system goes live. Payments Canada is to undertake a new three-month investigation into the risks identified. [Read more at Payments Canada]
*For those interested in intra-day updates, check out my searchable Diigo Fintech developments database, which is also a good place to go to query for past developments: https://www.diigo.com/user/kiffmeister/ART.
Upcoming conferences, webinars and speaking engagements:
- I’ll be participating in Currency Research’s in-person Central Bank Payments Conference and Global Payments Summit in Cape Town from June 26 to 30. [Register here and here respectively]
- I’ll be lecturing at the Digital Euro Association (DEA) Digital Money Academy on July 27, 2023. [Register here]
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.
The Sovereign Official Digital Association (SODA) is a technology-agnostic firm offering advisory services at the intersection of central banking, digital finance and the web3 industry, aiming to make public digital money a reality. SODA believes institutions in the existing financial ecosystem should have access to the tools and resources they need to move from discussion to action. SODA offers ‘real life’ use cases to help test digital money and drive adoption as central banks and other public institutions explore the future of a more financially inclusive world powered by interoperable blockchain-based networks. SODA would love you to join us on this journey – please get in touch (chris@sodapublicmoney.org).
Satoshi Capital Advisors is a New York-based, global advisory firm that works with central banks, governments, and the private sector to architect, implement, and operate varying initiatives. Satoshi Capital Advisors’ central bank work revolves around CBDC architecture and implementation, providing advisory services from research phase through to growth phase. Utilizing a product-market fit and technology agnostic approach to CBDC architecture and implementation enables Satoshi Capital Advisors to build tailored solutions, bespoke to local financial system nuances. Satoshi Capital Advisors welcomes requests from central bank officials for virtual and in-person CBDC workshops. [Click here for more information]
WhisperCash offers the first fully offline digital currency platform that has the same properties as physical cash. It can perform secure consecutive offline payments without compromising on security, privacy or accessibility. WhisperCash allows direct person to person offline payments without any server infrastructure or internet connectivity. It comes in various form factors including the self-contained credit card-sized “Pro” that sports an eInk screen and capacitive keyboard, and lasts for two weeks between recharges assuming a few transactions per day. [Click here for more information]