Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241231)

Digital ruble legislation submitted to Russian State Duma (Bitcoin.com)

A bill has reportedly been introduced to Russia’s State Duma that that would make the use of the digital ruble central bank digital currency (CBDC), mandatory for banks and merchants. The draft law proposes a phased rollout starting on July 1, 2025, with systemically important banks, and expanding to all banks by 2027. It would make accepting digital ruble payments mandatory for retailers with annual revenues over 30 million rubles by July 2025, with the threshold dropping to 20 million rubles by July 2026. The draft bill would also mandate the use of a universal QR code system for almost all digital ruble payments. [Read more at Bitcoin.com]

[The draft should be available here, but when I click on the link that should bring up draft laws, it hangs: http://duma.gov.ru/legislative/lawmaking]

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241230)

Wholesale CBDC: Approaches, Implementation Strategies and Use Cases (CCAF)

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) published a report that examines the key motivations, models, and policy considerations for wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC). It discusses the need for wholesale CBDCs as risk-free settlement assets to support digital transaction infrastructure and mitigate potential instability arising from reliance on tokenized private assets. Central banks are considering wholesale CBDCs as an alternative to upgrading real-time gross settlement (RTGS) systems, aiming to keep pace with programmable, always-on infrastructures that facilitate real-time, cross-currency liquidity and tokenized asset transactions. [Read more at the CCAF]

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241226)

Russian banks authorized to halt transfers with CBDCs for days (Crypto.News)

The Bank of Russia introduced new rules, effective on February 23, 2025, requiring banks to suspend digital ruble transactions for two days if they are suspected of involving fraud. If such a transaction is detected, the bank will notify the customer about possible fraud. If the customer doesn’t confirm it by the next day, the transaction will be canceled. Similar measures have been in effect for ordinary transfers since July 24, 2024. [Read more at the Bank of Russia]

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241222)

Study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (ECB)

The European Central Bank (ECB) published its latest study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE), which looks at the payment habits of consumers in euro area countries. It finds that cash remains the payment method used most frequently in shops, although its use is declining. The share of digital payments continues to increase, but at a slower pace, with cards still being the most popular method. The share of mobile apps is on the rise. Over half of euro area consumers prefer to use cards and other digital payment methods. However, a majority of consumers consider it important to have the option to pay with cash. [Read more at the ECB]

CBDC in the market for payments at the point of sale (BOC)

The Bank of Canada (BOC) published a paper that investigates the introduction of a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) into the market for payments. Focusing on the point of sale (POS), it develops and estimates a structural model of consumer adoption, merchant acceptance and usage decisions. It counterfactually simulates the introduction of a CBDC, considering a version with debit-like characteristics and one encompassing the best of cash and debit, and characterize outcomes for a range of potential adoption frictions. It shows that, in the absence of adoption frictions, CBDC has the potential for material consumer adoption and merchant acceptance, along with moderate POS usage. However, modest adoption frictions substantially reduce outcomes along all three dimensions. Incumbent responses required to restore pre-CBDC market shares are moderate to small and further reduce the market penetration of CBDC. Overall, this implies that an introduction of retail CBDC into the market for payments is by no means guaranteed to be successful. [Read more at the BOC]

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241220)

SEC Approves First Hybrid Bitcoin-Ethereum ETFs (Decrypt)

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the first spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) combining Bitcoin and Ethereum (weighted by free-float market capitalization). The agency has authorized Nasdaq to list the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF and the CBOE BZX Exchange to list the Franklin Crypto Index ETF. The Hashdex ETF will track the two crypto-assets based on the market capitalizations and prices posted within the Nasdaq Crypto Index. The Franklin ETF will use the will directly use the CF Institutional Digital Asset Index as its valuation source. One of the main factors that the SEC considered for this filing is on surveillance-sharing, an agreement between exchanges to share trading data and essential market information to help detect and prevent fraud and manipulation across connected markets. [Read the filing at the SEC]

Germany passes legislation for full crypto MiCAR implementation (Ledger Insights)

The German Bundestag passed the Finanzmarktdigitalisierungsgesetz of FinmadiG just in time for the December 30, 2024 coming into force of the European Union (EU) Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). The German legislation was required to designate Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) as the regulator, without which it could not award licenses. That would have allowed EU firms with crypto licenses from other countries to operate in Germany, but German firms would not have been able to operate in the EU. [Read more at Ledger Insights]

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241219)

Faster digital payments: global and regional perspectives (BIS)

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published a paper on the insights and lessons learned from a range of fast payment systems (FPS). Over 100 jurisdictions worldwide, including 15 jurisdictions in Latin America, have implemented FPS. The first, overview chapter draws out general insights from experiences in the Americas, such as on the impact of fast payments on financial inclusion, the role of central banks and domestic and cross-border interoperability. The next chapter looks in greater depth at Pix in Brazil, and its complementarities with other means of payment. A further chapter dives into the experiences of SINPE Móvil in Costa Rica, including the impact on banks. The final chapter explores the experience of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India. [Read more at the BIS]

El Salvador to scale back bitcoin efforts under $1.4 billion IMF deal (Decrypt)

IMF staff and the El Salvadoran authorities reached a staff-level agreement on a new arrangement under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for about US$1.4 billion to support the government’s reform agenda. The agreement is subject to IMF Executive Board approval. Provisions on the agreement imply that if approved, El Salvador would have to scale back certain aspects of its bitcoin strategy. Bitcoin acceptance will be made voluntary for the private sector and public sector involvement in crypto activities will be confined. Also, taxes will only be paid in U.S. dollars, and the government will gradually unwind its role in the Chivo digital wallet program. [Read more at the IMF]

Deutsche Bank tries to tackle compliance hurdles for public blockchains (Bloomberg)

Deutsche Bank is working on a fix for the regulatory challenges financial institutions face when trying to use public blockchains, such as the risk of inadvertently transacting with criminals or sanctioned entities. The bank unveiled a test version of Project DAMA-2, a Layer-2 Ethereum-based asset-servicing pilot in November 2024, as part of the bank’s contribution to the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Project Guardian. [Read more at Axelar]

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241218)

A proposal for a retail CBDC architecture (BIS)

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published a paper by its Consultative Group on Innovation and the Digital Economy (CGIDE) that discusses four main processes in a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) architecture. These are: i) enrolling new users, ii) creating CBDC (cash-in), iii) destroying CBDC (cash-out) and iv) intra-ledger transfers. These four processes could involve other flows and vary depending on the CBDC design, regulatory framework, technological infrastructure and policy objectives of each jurisdiction. The architecture lays out a hybrid model which allows for the division of labor between the central bank and private intermediaries. [Read more at the BIS]

Fee-free period for digital ruble transactions extended (Bank of Russia)

On November 29, 2024 the Bank of Russia announced the extension of the fee-free period for digital ruble transactions to December 31, 2025. After that the fee for businesses accepting payments for goods and services in digital rubles will be 0.3% of the payment amount (but no more than ₽1,500). The fee for housing and utility companies will be 0.2% but no more than ₽10. The fee on business-to-business transfers will equal ₽15 per transaction. However, digital ruble transactions will always be fee-free for individuals. [Read more at the Bank of Russia]

Familiarity with crypto and financial concepts: crypto-asset owners, non-owners, and gender differences (BOC)

The Bank of Canada (BOC) published a paper that uses microdata from the BOC Bitcoin Omnibus Survey, to measure familiarity with crypto-asset concepts using a set of three questions covering basic aspects of bitcoin. It finds that Canadian bitcoin owners are more informed than non-owners about the asset and thus have higher levels of crypto literacy. They are heterogeneous with respect to financial literacy. It finds that women who own bitcoin have similar financial knowledge as their male counterparts but score lower on crypto literacy measures. Moreover, the crypto literacy gender gap persists regardless of ownership status. [Read more at the BOC]

Sponsored Content:

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241217)

ESMA releases last policy documents to get ready for MiCA (ESMA)

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published the last package of final reports containing regulatory technical standards and guidelines ahead of the full entry into application of the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) on December 30, 2024. ESMA has delivered extensive regulatory work over the past 18 months, comprising more than 30 Technical Standards and Guidelines, many of them developed in cooperation with the European Banking Authority (EBA). The package contains Regulatory Technical Standards on market abuse, plus guidelines on reverse solicitation, suitability, crypto-asset transfer services, qualification of crypto-assets as financial instruments, and on the maintenance of systems and security access protocols. [Read more at ESMA]

FCA plans to improve UK crypto market transparency (FCA)

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a discussion paper on the future market abuse regime for crypto-assets (MARC) and crypto-asset admissions and disclosures regime (A&D), to help inform the development of a balanced regime that addresses market risks without stifling growth. [Read more at the FCA]

Sponsored Content:

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241213)

Bank Indonesia completes digital rupiah PoC (BI)

Bank Indonesia (BI) completed its Project Garuda proof of concept (PoC) for a distributed ledger technology (DLT) based digital rupiah wholesale cash ledger. The testing confirmed that the solution can meet the business and technical needs requirements (transaction security, interoperability with existing payment systems and financial infrastructure). Two DLT-based platforms were tested; Corda (R3) and Hyperledger Besu (Kaleido). Both were able to meet all testing scenarios and address all key questions. Project Garuda will proceed with a broader exploration of securities ledger, including exploring liquidity management and privacy technology. [Read more at BI]

Macau pataca prototype system development completed (AMCM)

The Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM) has completed the development of a prototype digital Macau pataca (e-MOP) which will soon undergo sandbox and public testing. There is also a chance it will be linked to China’s e-CNY and Hong Kong’s e-HKD in the future. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) provided technical support, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is responsible for supervising and managing e-MOP issuance, cancellation and circulation. The AMCM will set up self-service money exchangers to allow holders to accept e-MOP or other foreign currencies for cash reloading by exchanging money. [Read the e-MOP white paper at the AMCM]

AXA IM in two ECB wholesale CBDC trials (Ledger Insights)

AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) executed two transactions using the Banque de France’s pilot distributed ledger technology (DLT) based wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC), as part of the Eurosystem wholesale DLT settlement trials. The first was a €3 million investment by AXA IM, on behalf of AXA France, into a digital sovereign bond issued by the Republic of Slovenia. The transaction was executed on BNP Paribas’ “Neobonds” tokenization platform with T+1 settlement on T+1 using the Banque de France’s DL3S platform. The second experiment executed a fund share subscription of €1 million from Generali into AXA Court Terme with instant settlement process using digital CeBM via the IZNES blockchain platform. [Read more at AXA IM]

SocGen completes repo transaction on public blockchain with the Banque de France (SocGen)

Societe Generale (SocGen) completed a collateralized market transaction fully executed on blockchain through its SG-FORGE subsidiary. This is the first sale and repurchase agreement (repo) transaction in digital securities with a Eurosystem central bank. SocGen deposited as collateral with the Banque de France some bonds issued in 2020 on the public Ethereum blockchain in exchange for pilot central bank digital currency (CBDC) issued by the Banque de France on its DL3S blockchain. [Read more at SocGen]

HQLAᵡ and market participants collaborate on collateral mobility initiative (DerivSource)
HQLAᵡ successfully concluded a feasibility initiative to address pain points in triparty collateral mobility. It uses its platform to transfer securities collateral to – or between – multiple triparty agents without triggering cross-custodian settlements. The HQLAᵡ platform uses distributed ledger technology (DLT) to validate the ownership of the securities at any given point in time. [Read more at DerivSource]

EBA assesses potential benefits and challenges of tokenized deposits (EBA)

The European Banking Authority (EBA) published a report to facilitate awareness of tokenized deposits, as well as assess their potential benefits and challenges. The report also aims to promote convergence in the classification of tokenized deposits in contrast with electronic money tokens (EMTs) issued by credit institutions under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). [Read more at the EBA]

ESAs provide guidelines to facilitate crypto-asset classification consistency (EBA)

Three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) published joint guidelines intended to facilitate consistency in the regulatory classification of crypto-assets under MiCAR. The guidelines include a standardized test to promote a common approach to classification as well as templates market participants should use when communicating to supervisors the regulatory classification of crypto-assets. [Read more at the EBA]

Recommendations related to cross-border payment data flows and regulation (FSB)

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published recommendations to promote greater alignment in data frameworks related to cross-border payments and consistency in the regulation and supervision of bank and non-bank payment service providers. These recommendations advance key actions from the G20 Roadmap to address legal, supervisory, and regulatory issues in cross-border payments. [Read more at the FSB]

Exploring wholesale central bank digital currencies (CCAF)

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) published a report that reviews the case for a wholesale CBDC, the various approaches in how it can be delivered, and an assessment of the pilots and experiments undertaken by the industry and central banks. It finds that buy- and sell-side firms are progressing with tokenization initiatives, driving a need for digital money for the cash leg. which may increasingly be delivered through tokenized bank deposits or stablecoins. Meanwhile, central banks are raising concerns on the risks of using such private settlement assets for settlement, facilitating experiments demonstrating how central bank money can be used instead, but with no clear indication yet on how and when this may be delivered in practice. [Read more at the CCAF]

Digital tool sheds light on stablecoin flows and regulation (CCAF)

Also, the CCAF updated its Cambridge Digital Money Dashboard (CDMD), offering new insights into the geographical flows of stablecoins, as well as regulatory overviews for a wider set of jurisdictions. This new update was made possible through a joint work with Chainalysis, a blockchain data platform specializing in on-chain data analytics for investigations and compliance. [Read more at the CCAF]

ICMA publishes DLT bonds reference guide (ICMA)

The International Capital Market Association (ICMA) published a reference guidance for DLT-based debt securities. The guide highlights considerations for the end-to-end lifecycle of DLT-based debt securities. It is designed for market practitioners as well as a broader audience of market stakeholders. It comprises over 50 practical questions and serves as a reference point across the lifecycle of a DLT-based debt security. [Read more at ICMA]

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20241211)

NY regulator approves Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin (CoinTelegraph)

Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse reported that the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has approved the firm’s RLUSD stablecoin. Testing of RLUSD, which will be “complementary and additive” to Ripple’s XRP, began on the XRP ledger and Ethereum mainnets in August 2024. [Read more on X]

RBF says no to digital Fiji dollar (Fiji Times)

The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) has reportedly ruled out issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for Fiji, and is instead focusing on modernizing its existing national payment system. In the meantime, the RBF will continue to keep a tab on how other central banks progress on CBDC as well monitor international new developments that may influence Fiji’s payment system. [Read more at the Fiji Times]

Kyrgyz parliament approves draft CBDC law (Trend)

The Constitutional Law, State Structure, Judicial and Legal Issues, and Parliamentary Regulations Committee of the Kyrgyz Parliament has reportedly approved the draft law on the status of the digital som – in its first reading. It is designed to launch a pilot project for a prototype digital som and to establish its legal framework and status. Testing of the prototype is scheduled to begin in early 2025, and a final decision on the launch of the digital som is planned for the end of 2026. [Trend]

Hong Kong government publishes Stablecoins Bill (John Ho)

The Hong Kong Government has published in the Gazette the Stablecoins Bill, which seeks to put in place a regulatory regime for issuers of fiat-referenced stablecoins (FRS) in Hong Kong. The Bill aims to enhance the regulatory framework for virtual asset activities (VAs), by addressing the potential financial stability risks posed by FRS, ensuring adequate user protection, and harnessing the potential benefits of VAs and their underlying technologies. [Read more on the Hong Kong government website]

ASIC digital asset guidance public consultation (ASIC)

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) published a paper outlining proposals to update its crypto-asset information sheet. Generally, ASIC’s existing approach to financial services licences will apply to digital assets. However, among other things, the paper proposes the addition of 13 practical examples of how the current financial product definitions apply to digital assets and related products. [Read more at ASIC]

Sponsored Content:

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Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

  • Digital Euro Conference 2025, Frankfurt, March 27, 2025. The DEC25 conference will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and the intersection of AI and digital ID. When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [Find out more and register here]

And 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 john@kiffmeister.com.