Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20260920)

Saudi Arabia Quits mBridge Cross-Border Currency Platform (FT)

The Financial Times (FT) reported that the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) withdrew from the blockchain-based mBridge cross-border payments platform on May 13, 2025. SAMA joined the project as an observing member in 2023, and became an active participant in 2024, joining China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). The BIS “graduated out” of the project in October 2024. SAMA said in a statement provided to the FT that “as planned, SAMA successfully completed its mBridge [proof of concept (PoC)] on 13 May 2025 [and] following the completion of the PoC, SAMA is no longer a participating member of mBridge.” [FT]

BTW if you want to see a complete database of my DFC-related posts going back years, including many that didn’t make the Daily Digest cut, click here.

FYI I produce a monthly digest of digital fiat currency (DFC) developments exclusively for the official sector (e.g., central banks, ministries of finance and international financial institution (e.g., the BIS, IMF, OECD, World Bank)) plus academics and firms that are active in the DFC space (commercial banks, technology providers, consultants, etc.). (DFCs include central bank digital currency (CBDC), stablecoins and tokenized deposits.) It goes out via email on the first business day of every month, and if you’re interested in being on the mailing list, please email me at john@kiffmeister.com.

Leave a Reply