SWIFT begins beta tests of CBDC connector
SWIFT is working with three central banks and 30 financial institutions on beta tests of an experimental method for interlinking central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) with existing fiat infrastructures. In addition, SWIFT has started a second phase of sandbox testing, with commercial banks, central banks and financial market infrastructures exploring uses such as trigger-based payments for digital trade platforms, foreign exchange models, delivery vs. payment and liquidity saving mechanisms. [Read more at SWIFT]
Telegram integrates TON-based crypto wallet for its 800 million users
Telegram Messenger has reportedly integrated The Open Network-based self-custodial (TON Space) crypto wallet for its over 800 million monthly active users. All Telegram Wallet users can now access TON Space. Telegram Wallet is a bot that allows users to buy and sell crypto. Then, beginning in November 2023, all global Telegram users will be able to access the self-custodial wallet — excluding the U.S. and some other countries. In 2020, Telegram abandoned TON after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Telegram for raising $1.7 billion through an initial coin offering (ICO) which they claimed was an unregistered security. [Read more at The Block]
World Bank study reveals key Fintech growth enabling factors
The World Bank published a paper that found that countries with less developed and less competitive banking systems exhibit higher levels of Fintech activity, in part explained by lower barriers to entry and more opportunities for digital financial services in such countries. It also found that Fintech activity is positively correlated with capital market development that may reflect a more favorable investment climate that fosters the emergence of fintech companies by providing the funding they need to develop. [Read more at the World Bank]
BCG Global Payments Report 2023
The Boston Consulting group (BCG) published its 2023 Global Payments Report, that takes deep dives into four payments industry subsectors: acquirers, issuers, wholesale transaction banks, and payments infrastructure providers. Total payments revenues grew at an annual rate of 8.3% from 2017 to 2022, taking the revenue pool to $1.6 trillion at the end of 2022. However, revenue growth is expected to slow as the retail payments mix shifts from cards to account-to-account transactions, and card margins shrink in some markets. [Read more at BCG]
*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]
