I’ve updated my tabulation of central bank retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) explorers. There are now 101 central banks (up one (Kyrgyz Republic) since the end-January update) that have recently issued, piloted, experimented with and/or researched retail CBDC not including two that started issuing retail CBDC and then shut the platforms down (Ecuador and Finland). Keep in mind that I don’t count all of the individual national central banks that are part of currency unions (e.g., the European or Eastern Caribbean Currency Unions). If I did the tally would be around the oft-quoted 130+ central banks. [Check out the tabulation here]
Thailand retail CBDC pilot test project update (Thai only for now)
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) published an update on its retail CBDC experiments. They successfully demonstrated the potential of the technology behind the retail CBDC system, but the BOT said it has no plans to launch one and will use the technology design to further develop a more efficient payment system. I’d like to say more about the paper, such as whether it’s a pilot or proof-of-concept, but it’s written in Thai and Google Translate is returning gibberish, so that determination will have to wait. If anyone else out there can figure it out please let me know! [Read more at the BOT]
*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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