Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20251113)

November 13, 2025November 13, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

HKMA Announces New Phase of Project Ensemble (HKMA)

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched EnsembleTX, marking the new phase of Project Ensemble to enable real-value transactions in tokenized deposits and digital assets within a controlled pilot environment. Building on successful sandbox experiments since August 2024, this phase allows industry participants to settle digital asset transactions using tokenized deposits, initially focusing on transactions such as money market funds and real-time liquidity management. The project, running throughout 2026, will initially use the HKD RTGS system for interbank settlement and aims to facilitate 24/7 settlement in tokenized central bank money (CeBM), further developing Hong Kong’s tokenization ecosystem. HKMA and the Securities and Futures Commission will continue collaborating to advance practical applications of tokenization. [Source: HKMA]

BOE, MAS and BOT to Explore Cross-Border Synchronized FX Settlement (BOE)

The Bank of England (BOE), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and Bank of Thailand (BOT) announced a collaborative project to examine the technical and policy aspects of synchronized settlement for foreign exchange (FX) transactions across borders. Building on insights from Project Meridian FX, the initiative will test interoperability and complex, multilateral use cases by leveraging simulated Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) systems and distributed ledger technology (DLT) environments. The goal is to enable atomic, real-time FX transactions that are fast, secure, and interoperable, potentially supporting payment-versus-payment FX settlement across various infrastructures and regulatory frameworks. [Source: BOE]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

The Cedi@60 Anniversary Currency Conference (Accra, Ghana, November 17-20) hosted by the Bank of Ghana, in partnership with Currency Research, will celebrate 60 years of the Ghanaian Cedi, bringing together leaders from across Africa and beyond to reflect on the currency’s legacy and chart its digital future. Learn about Ghana’s eCedi pilot and the future of sovereign digital currencies in Africa, and engage with innovators driving mobile money, QR code payments, and financial inclusion across the region. [Register here and get 15% off by using the Kiffmeister15 code!]

The Digital Euro Conference 2026 (Frankfurt, March 26) will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, and commercial bank tokens. This hybrid event offers the perfect platform to understand the future of digital money! [Register here and get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code!]

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.

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20251111)

November 11, 2025November 11, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

JPMorgan and DBS Bank Team Up on Cross-Border Tokenized Deposit Framework (CoinDesk)

JPMorgan and Singapore’s DBS Bank are collaborating to develop a cross-border tokenized deposit framework that will connect their respective blockchain payment systems, allowing institutional clients to transfer tokenized deposits in real time between both public and private blockchains. This initiative links DBS Token Services with JPMorgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments project, enabling interoperability and 24/7 settlement between banks without relying on traditional payment rails. The move aims to set new standards for interoperability in institutional digital payments, reflecting the global trend of major banks seeking seamless, cross-system digital deposit solutions. According to BIS, about a third of banks worldwide are now exploring or launching tokenized deposit innovations, signaling accelerating adoption in this area. [Source: CoinDesk]

Visa, Mastercard Reach $38 billion Swipe Fee Settlement, Draw Opposition (Reuters)

Visa and Mastercard have reached a revised $38 billion settlement with U.S. merchants, aiming to resolve two decades of litigation over antitrust violations and high card “swipe fees.” The deal would lower card processing fees by 0.1 percentage point for five years and grant merchants more control over card acceptance and surcharging, with standard consumer rates capped at 1.25% for eight years—a 25% drop. While Visa and Mastercard tout the relief for all merchants, especially smaller ones, major merchant groups like the National Retail Federation object, arguing the reforms don’t go far enough to address excessive fees and market power. The settlement replaces a previously rejected $30 billion accord and comes amid opposition from some merchant coalitions. Visa and Mastercard deny wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. [Source: Reuters]

Tokenization of Financial Assets (IOSCO)

IOSCO published a report on the tokenization of financial assets that assesses the adoption and implications of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in capital markets. It finds that while tokenization aims to drive efficiencies—such as fractionalization, programmability, and atomic settlement—the ecosystem remains nascent, with limited large-scale commercial adoption mostly seen in fixed income products and money market funds. Most lifecycle processes (issuance, trading, settlement, custody) continue to depend on conventional infrastructure due to challenges in DLT interoperability and credible on-chain settlement assets. The report highlights that risks from tokenization generally fit under existing legal and operational risk categories, but technology-specific risks (like smart contract bugs, cyber threats, and legal uncertainties around token ownership) may demand new controls. Regulators have mainly relied on existing, technology-neutral frameworks, sometimes complemented by specific guidance, sandboxes, or updated laws, as the economic substance of tokenized assets closely resembles traditional financial products. [Source: IOSCO]

Fast Payments in Latin America and the Caribbean (World Bank)

The World Bank published a report that analyzes new data on fast payments systems (FPS) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). FPSs are rapidly transforming digital finance in LAC, making digital transactions far faster, more affordable, and accessible. In the last eight years, fast payments grew from 2% to about 45% of all digital payments in LAC-11 countries, catalyzed especially by the COVID-19 pandemic and proactive central bank policies. Brazil’s Pix system stands out globally for per-adult transaction volume, demonstrating how open design, broad use cases, and regulatory support drive adoption. Most LAC nations now offer fast payments through varied models, with increasing central bank involvement. These systems deepen financial inclusion for those with accounts and can attract the unbanked, but further policy attention is needed to expand access. Challenges remain around interoperability, governance, fraud, and use-case diversification. The report recommends prioritizing open nonbank access, robust governance, broader use cases, enhanced fraud management, and alignment with digital public infrastructure for sustained impact and inclusion. [Source: World Bank]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20251103)

November 3, 2025November 4, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

Understanding Disputes Over Digitalization: A Perspective of Cross-Border CBDCs (Heng Wang)

In a forthcoming paper in the Emory International Law Review Heng Wang analyzes the complexity of disputes arising from digitalization, with a particular focus on cross-border central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The paper highlights that CBDCs—as novel digital forms of national currency issued by central banks—bring transformative changes, especially through cross-border initiatives like Project mBridge and other multilateral efforts. The paper argues that the rapid digitalization of currency systems increases the likelihood of disputes due to diverging stakeholder interests, regulatory inconsistencies, technological challenges, and evolving governance structures. Wang proposes a framework examining social (stakeholder interests and interactions), material (subject matter and party perceptions), and temporal (evolution and timing of disputes) dimensions to better understand these disputes. By dissecting disputes along these lines, the paper aims to bridge the gaps between digital transformation and dispute settlement, helping public and private actors navigate the complex regulatory, technological, and operational landscape emerging from global CBDC adoption. [Source: ResearchGate]

Everyone Is Wrong About Tokenized Bank Deposits (Omid Malekan)

Crypto consultant Omid Malekan argues that widespread optimism about tokenized bank deposits is misplaced and reflects a misunderstanding of blockchain’s disruptive potential. He contends that tokenized deposits are inferior to stablecoins in terms of economics, safety, and compliance—requiring banks to pay competitive interest, being riskier due to fractional reserves, and suffering from restrictive permissioning that reduces utility. On the supply side, challenges like deposit insurance and price discovery on-chain could exacerbate instability and bank runs, and regulatory compliance will force banks into permissioned systems that undermine the very benefits of tokenization. Malekan concludes that unless banks radically rethink their structure, tokenizing legacy bank deposits simply reproduces outdated models, missing the transformative promise of blockchain technology. [Source: Substack]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20251029)

October 29, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

HKMA Completes Second Phase of e-HKD Pilot Programme (HKMA)

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has completed the second and last phase of its e-HKD central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot program. It evaluated the commercial viability and scalability of an e-HKD in various retail scenarios and compared it with tokenized deposits, structured around three themes: (i) settlement of tokenised assets, (ii) programmability, and (iii) offline payments. The results showed that an e-HKD can deliver benefits such as cost-efficient, programmable, and resilient transactions. One of the key takeaways was that, for retail end users, including merchants, consumers and individual investors, the difference between an e-HKD and tokenized deposits is not immediately clear, particularly in the context of routine payment transactions. Hence, the HKMA concluded that the immediate priority for the e-HKD lies in wholesale payments, and going forward it will prioritize the development of the tokenization ecosystem and cross-border payments. [Source: HKMA]

eCurrency to Pilot Central Bank Digital Currency Solution in Madagascar (eCurrency)

eCurrency Mint is set to begin an eAriary CBDC pilot in Madagascar. The project aims to introduce a digital version of the Ariary currency, leveraging eCurrency’s DSC3 technology to enable secure and efficient transactions. The solution is designed to integrate seamlessly into Madagascar’s existing financial ecosystem, and will be piloted in partnership with PayLogic SA to align with the “specific requirements of the Banky Foiben’i Madagasikara”. However, it is unclear to what extent the central bank itself is involved. [Source: PR Newswire]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20250901)

September 1, 2025September 1, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

Japan Post Bank to Consider Handling Tokenized Deposits (JPB)

Japan Post Bank (JPB) is considering offering blockchain-based tokenized deposits to customers by March 31, 2026 (the end of its fiscal year), aiming to enable instant and transparent settlement of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and securities tokens. They will be eligible for deposit insurance. They will use a platform provided by DeCurret DCP. [Source: JPB]

Paypal Glitch – Direct Debits Worth Billions Stopped (SZ)

According to Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) a significant technical failure in PayPal’s security system recently (in late August 2025) allowed direct debit transactions to go through without the usual fraud checks, prompting banks to halt billions of euros in payments to prevent potential fraud. This disruption primarily affected German customers and merchants, causing delays in legitimate transactions. Although PayPal states the issue has been fixed and systems are back to normal, consumer advocates recommend users check their accounts for unauthorized debits. European regulations allow for easy reversal of unauthorized payments, and regulatory authorities in Luxembourg, where PayPal Europe is based, have been notified about the incident. PayPal is a crucial online payment provider in Germany, making this outage especially impactful for the region. [Source: SZ]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

The CB+DC Conference (Nassau, Bahamas, September 9-11) is a premier gathering centered on CBDCs, tokenized assets, and stablecoins. It provides a forum for central bankers, commercial bankers, technology innovators, policymakers, and academics to explore the latest advancements in digital currency, engage with experts and peers, and discuss the future of digital currency. [Register here but before you do, email me at john@kiffmeister.com for a 15% discount]

Stablecoin NYC 2025 (New York City on November 14-15) will be the definitive conference for exploring the future of digital money and intelligent payments. The event brings together founders, C-level executives, investors, policymakers, and developers for two immersive days of talks, panels, and networking. This be the place to be if you’re building, backing, or regulating the next wave of programmable finance. [Register here]

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20250830)

August 30, 2025August 30, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

Bank of Korea Plans to Use CBDC to Distribute Government Subsidies (Hankook)

The Bank of Korea reportedly plans to use wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) to back the distribution of over $79 billion in government subsidies in the second phase of the “Han River Project”. This move, proposed by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, is aimed at making subsidy payments more efficient and transparent by issuing CBDC-based tokenized bank deposits to contractors instead of traditional vouchers or bank transfers. By leveraging blockchain technology, the initiative seeks to reduce fraud and improve the tracking of public funds, and it marks a significant shift from a previous pause in CBDC testing. [Source: Hankook]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20250714)

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

Digital Fiat Currency (DFC) at the Crossroads (Bitcoin, Fiat and Rock ‘n’ Roll)

I spent a very pleasant hour with Digital Euro Association (DEA) Chair Jonas Gross chatting about the evolution of digital currency, from central bank digital currency (CBDC) to stablecoins and tokenized deposits. Here’s the TL;DR but click here for the whole podcast, which I think you’ll find interesting:

CBDCs are at a pivotal stage, with wholesale CBDCs gaining renewed interest for their potential in efficient, high-value settlements—especially as tokenized deposits and atomic settlement use cases emerge. However, retail CBDCs face uncertainty, as countries like Canada, Sweden, and the UK pause or scale back projects due to limited public interest and adoption challenges, while the European Central Bank continues to push ahead with its digital euro preparations. Lessons from early adopters show that technology alone is insufficient without strong merchant integration and public education. Meanwhile, stablecoins are rising in influence, but their future depends on regulatory acceptance and central bank backing. The debate continues between permissioned and permissionless blockchain infrastructures, and their roles in creating modular, interoperable financial systems .

Fundamentals of Modern Money and its Application to Sharia-Compliant CBDC (BNM)

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) published a paper that explores the fundamental nature of modern money—characterizing it as a credit relation and a promise to pay abstract value—and examines its implications for Shariah (Islamic law) analysis, particularly in the context of central bank digital currency (CBDC). It argues that modern money, unlike classical commodity-based money, is constituted by social, economic, and political relationships among individuals, banks, central banks, and the state. The authors highlight that traditional Shariah conceptions, which treat money as a tangible commodity, do not fully capture the essence of modern money. They propose a hybrid Shariah approach that recognizes modern money as both a means of payment and a credit instrument, suggesting that the rules of riba (usury) should apply to modern money in its various forms, including CBDCs, to ensure alignment with Islamic principles. [Read more at the BNM]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

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 (20250710)

July 10, 2025July 10, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

Myanmar Central Bank to Introduce Digital Currency (Myanmar Now)

The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) reportedly plans to introduce a central bank digital currency to reduce the use of banknotes. The CBM has formed a committee of 13 members, including a deputy governor, to study and analyse the best methods, technologies, and regulatory frameworks to use in ensuring the successful introduction of the CBDC into the economy, as well as assess its potential impacts on payments systems and monetary policy. The committee will also be responsible for overseeing and maintaining the infrastructural foundations, funding, and regulation of the digital currency after it is introduced. [Read more at Myanmar Now]

Pakistan Planning CBDC Pilot (Ledger Insights)

The State Bank of Pakistan is reportedly planning a central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot. Governor Jameel Ahmad said that the central bank is building up appropriate capacity and hoped to roll out a pilot soon. However, this should be taken with a grain of salt, since the central bank has twice before made false starts to CBDC work, most recently in 2023. [Read more at Ledger Insights]

RBA and DFCRC Project Acacia Update (RBA)

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) provided an update on Project Acacia. It will explore how different forms of digital money and associated infrastructure could support the development of wholesale tokenized asset markets in Australia. 19 pilot use cases, and 5 proof-of-concept use cases, have been conditionally selected for this next stage of the project to take place over six months. The use cases involve a range of asset classes, including fixed income, private markets, trade receivables and carbon credits. Proposed settlement assets for the use cases include stablecoins, bank deposit tokens, and pilot wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC), as well as new ways of using banks’ existing exchange settlement accounts at the RBA. Issuance of pilot wholesale CBDC for testing use cases will occur on a range of private and public-permissioned distributed ledger technology (DLT) platforms. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will provide regulatory relief to participants to support and streamline the pilot. [Read more at the RBA]

Stablecoins are Trending, But What Frictions and Risks are Getting Overlooked? (Atlantic Council)

The Atlantic Council published an article by Ashley Lannquist that discusses the growing popularity of stablecoins, while highlighting the risks and frictions. The article points out regulatory gaps, potential financial instability, and the lack of transparency in reserve backing, which could lead to liquidity crises if many users redeem stablecoins simultaneously. It also examines geopolitical concerns, such as the use of stablecoins to evade sanctions, and operational risks like cybersecurity threats. Also, despite their utility in cross-border payments and decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins’ value for everyday payments remains to be seen. [Read more at the Atlantic Council]

Latest Stablecoin Depeg Spotlights Need for Better Attestation (Ledger Insights)

Falcon USD (USDf), a crypto-backed, overcollateralized stablecoin issued by Falcon Finance, a subsidiary of DWF Labs experienced a depegging event, with its price dropping as low as $0.98 and briefly to $0.9432 before recovering to around $0.995. This incident has raised concerns about the transparency and quality of the collateral backing USDf, as well as the potential risk of a broader stablecoin crisis reminiscent of the Terra (LUNA) collapse. Critics and risk consultants have pointed to a lack of clarity regarding the composition and liquidity of USDf’s reserves, and have questioned its inclusion as collateral on DeFi lending platforms. In response to the depegging and growing scrutiny, DWF Labs’ CEO has pledged to provide a more detailed breakdown of the assets backing USDf. [Read more at Ledger Insights]

Why Banks Need Regulatory Clarity on Permissionless Blockchains (Fireblocks)

Fireblocks published an article about the regulatory barriers that prevent banks from effectively utilizing permissionless blockchains, despite their potential benefits. For example, Basel III’s emphasis on knowing all node operators results in a maximum 1250% risk weight for tokenized assets on public blockchains, making them approximately 12 times more expensive to hold than traditional assets. The article contends that these regulatory mismatches discourage banks from adopting infrastructure that could provide trust through decentralization, continuous innovation, and programmable finance capabilities. To address these challenges, the author advocates for more nuanced regulatory approaches that distinguish between different types of risks, focus on how banks actually use blockchain networks rather than the networks’ permission models, and recognize that governance and compliance controls can be embedded at the token or application layer rather than requiring control over the entire network infrastructure. [Read more at Fireblocks]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20250618)

June 18, 2025June 18, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

U.S. Senate Passes GENIUS Act Stablecoin Legislation (Ledger Insights)

The U.S. Senate has passed the GENIUS Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoins. The legislation seeks to provide clarity for issuers, ensure consumer protections, and maintain financial stability while fostering innovation in the digital asset space. Key provisions include requirements for stablecoin issuers to maintain reserves, comply with anti-money laundering (AML) rules, and undergo regular audits. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. [Read more at Congress.gov]

DEA on the Foundational Principles for Europe’s Digital Money Ecosystem (DEA)

The Digital Euro Association (DEA) published a position statement that advocates for a balanced and innovative approach to digital money in Europe, focusing on stablecoins, retail and wholesale digital euros, and deposit tokens. The DEA emphasizes regulatory clarity, interoperability, user protection, and privacy, supporting the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) for stablecoins while calling for proportional implementation to foster innovation. For the wholesale digital euro, the DEA highlights efficiency gains through distributed ledger technology (DLT), global interoperability, and collaborative governance. The retail digital euro should prioritize public good, privacy, and user-centric design, ensuring accessibility and legal clarity. Deposit tokens are seen as complementary to public money, requiring regulatory clarity and consumer protection. Overall, the DEA promotes a cohesive digital financial ecosystem that strengthens Europe’s monetary sovereignty, fosters innovation, and ensures trust and inclusivity. [Read more at the DEA]

JPMorgan to Launch a Stablecoin-Like Token JPMD (CNBC)

JPMorgan Chase is reportedly planning to launch a tokenized deposit on Coinbase’s Base Ethereum Layer 2 network. It will operate on a public permissioned basis and will be for use only by the bank’s institutional clients. Unlike stablecoins issued by nonbanks, JPMD operates within the regulated commercial banking system and is subject to standard supervisory requirements. [Read more at CNBC]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

Kiffmeister’s #Fintech Daily Digest (20250527)

May 27, 2025May 27, 2025 ~ kiffmeister

Circle Files IPO on NYSE at $6.7 Billion Valuation (Decrypt)

USDC stablecoin issuer Circle filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer 24 million shares for $24 to $26 each. The firm is targeting a $6.7 billion fully diluted valuation. Circle is expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CRCL. USDC was launched by Circle and Coinbase in 2018 via the Centre Consortium. Coinbase, which went public in 2021, took an equity stake in Circle in August 2023 amid the dissolution of the consortium. In April, Bloomberg reported that Ripple made a $4-5 billion offer for Circle, but was rebuffed due to the offer being too low. [Read more at Businesswire]

Competing Digital Monies (TSE)

In a University of Toulouse School of Economics (TSE) working paper, Jon Frost (BIS), Jean-Charles Rochet, Huyn Song Shin (BIS), and Marianne Verdier analyzed the competition between three digital payment instruments: bank deposits, private stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Using a theoretical model grounded in two-sided market economics, the authors explore how market structure and social welfare are affected by “walled gardens” (non-interoperable payment ecosystems) versus interoperable systems such as central bank-operated fast payment systems (FPS) or CBDCs. They find that both CBDCs and FPS can increase financial inclusion, raise trade volumes, and enhance welfare—though they may reduce the market share of traditional financial intermediaries and paradoxically lead to higher merchant fees due to decreased price elasticity. The paper concludes that, in many cases, a well-designed FPS may offer similar benefits to a retail CBDC, suggesting that countries with robust FPS infrastructure may not urgently need a CBDC. [Read more at the TSE]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements: