Kazakhstan central bank pilots digital tenge smart contracts
Binur Zhalenov, CEO of the National Bank of Kazakhstan National Payments Corporation, has described a pilot that uses digital tenge smart contracts to optimize government subsidies, in this case involving school canteen subsidies. Each school student in the city of Almaty has an “ONAY!” transportation card. When a student uses this card in the school canteen, a smart contract is triggered that transfers digital tenge from the school’s account directly to the canteen operator’s account, but only when the student actually receives the service. This significantly cuts down on unnecessary reporting, canteens receive funds instantly after providing services, and ensures clear visibility of government fund usage. [Read more on LinkedIn]
China debuts solar power industry digital yuan smart contracts
State Grid Suzhou Power Supply Company completed the first digital yuan smart contract transaction in the solar power industry. The deal was struck the CBDC with the materials and textiles firm Suzhou Shicheng Material Technology that had struck a smart contract loan-type financing deal with a local bank branch. After Suzhou Shicheng Material Technology used electricity over an agreed period, State Grid Suzhou Power Supply issued a bill, causing the contract to close, and Suzhou Shicheng Material Technology’s digital yuan wallet was automatically debited after the issuance of the bill. [Read more at Cryptonews]
FYI here are some of my upcoming speaking engagements:
– Currency Research Americas Cash Cycle & Payments Seminar (Orlando Florida on November 27-30)[Register here]
– Digital Euro Conference 2024 (Frankfurt on February 29)[Register here]
*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
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