Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20230803)*

I’ve updated my tabulation of retail central bank digital currency (#CBDC) explorers. The changes are mostly minor, with some central banks shuffling up into the soon-to-pilot category. [See the update on my website]

Central bank digital currency technical guideline

The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) published a technical guideline (TR) describing requirements that ensure a high level of IT security for the backend systems that support the operation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) ecosystem. If implemented, the CBDC ecosystem constitutes a critical infrastructure, and the TR aims to ensure that it is made resilient to a wide range of attacks. In addition to implementing the goal of security-by-design, this TR also considers some privacy aspects. [Read more at the BSI]

Towards acceptance criteria for a digital euro

An IU International University of Applied Sciences paper presented the results of a survey of 207 Germans regarding their attitudes towards a digital euro. The results suggest that a digital euro should be designed as a digital version of physical cash, and it should be well and seamlessly integrated into the existing landscape of banking applications. However, the potential benefits are not yet clear, especially regarding transparency and trustworthiness, and some respondents perceived little added value compared to bank accounts or cash. [Read more at EconStor]

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to offer crypto services via Fireblocks pact

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) has signed an agreement with the digital asset platform Fireblocks to jointly offer a range of new digital asset products and services. The TASE noted that the new partnership will enable it to provide institutional-grade digital asset solutions for regulated entities. TASE had previously worked with Fireblocks and the Israeli Ministry of Finance on Project Eden, a proof-of-concept (PoC) that tested the atomic settlement of tokenized government bonds using digital payment tokens on a blockchain-based platform. [Read more at the TASE]


*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.

Kiffmeister’s 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 (only) if you work at a central bank, ministry of finance or international financial institution (e.g., the BIS, IMF, OECD, World Bank) and 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]