ECB: The end is nigh for Bitcoin, “rarely used for legal transactions”
The European Central Bank (ECB) has published a blog post that predicts the demise of Bitcoin. Authored by Ulrich Bindseil and Jürgen Schaaf, entitled “Bitcoin’s Last Stand,” the article claims that Bitcoin is in its “last gasp before the road to irrelevance.” Noting that Bitcoin is rarely used real-world transactions, the authors hammer Bitcoin as “cumbersome, slow and expensive,” adding that “the market valuation of Bitcoin is therefore based purely on speculation.” It sounds like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed! [Read more at the ECB]
Ensuring adoption of central bank digital currencies – An easy task or a Gordian knot?
The ECB published a paper that surveys the key elements involved in the adoption of new means of payment and discusses failed and ongoing initiatives with public digital money. It concludes that ensuring the desired level of adoption of retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) may impose significant constraints on central bank design choices and policy goals. In fact, in some settings, central banks may find themselves on the horns of a dilemma in seeking to balance the needs to (i) preserve the central bank’s hierarchy of policy goals, (ii) increase the chances of adoption and use of CBDCs by consumers and retailers, and (iii) avoid adverse economic effects. [Read more at the ECB]
The 3rd CCAF global Fintech regulator survey
The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance {CCAF} published its third global fintech regulator survey. It aims to understand the extent to which policymakers continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as we move away from the crisis. The survey provides insights into the types of consumer risks that have emerged because of the pandemic and the impact of such risks on policy objectives. It also explores the important role of IT systems and infrastructures in supporting oversight and supervision across fintech verticals. [Read more at the CCAF]
Kiffmeister’s Global 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 for any of you out there who work for a central bank, ministry of finance or international financial institution 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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