UK Government Set to Roll Out GOV.UK Wallet, a New Digital Identity and Documents App
The UK government’s announcement of a digital driving licence rollout later this year marks a pivotal moment in the country’s journey towards a truly digital economy. As part of an expansive overhaul of public sector technology, the GOV.UK Wallet and GOV.UK App promise to transform the way Britons access and interact with essential government services. […]
What is the Bank of England’s Digital Pound Lab?
The Digital Pound Lab, announced on 14 January 2024, is a critical component of the Bank of England’s exploration into the feasibility of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). It serves as a technology sandbox environment, designed to facilitate innovation, experimentation, and collaboration between public and private sector participants. The Lab plays a pivotal role […]
Merchant Advisory Group and the Digital Pound Foundation Join Forces in New Partnership to Drive Innovation in Digital Payments
The Digital Pound Foundation (DPF) is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Merchant Advisory Group (MAG), a strategic alliance aimed at advancing innovation and fostering positive change within the digital payments industry. The collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both organisations to drive forward-thinking solutions that serve the interests of merchants and the broader […]
Bank of England and HM Treasury Publish Digital Pound Design Notes, Seeking Public Input
The Bank of England and HM Treasury are intensifying their exploration of a digital pound CBDC. As part of their commitment to transparency, they have published a set of design notes outlining the emerging framework for the digital pound. These notes provide early insights into the Bank’s thinking on key aspects, including technology, regulation, and […]
2025 Could Be a Turning Point for Central Bank Digital Currencies: OMFIF
A new report by OMFIF, in partnership with Giesecke+Devrient, is set to explore the factors contributing to central banks’ hesitation about launching central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). This research highlights the ongoing progress in CBDC development globally, despite some central banks still being undecided about issuance. As more research and experimentation continue, 2025 could see […]
Russia’s Largest Bank, Sberbank, Joins Digital Ruble CBDC Pilot Amid Tight Timeline for Launch
Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, has officially joined the pilot programme for the digital ruble, alongside leading digital bank TBank (formerly Tinkoff) and Tochka Bank. This comes as a significant development, as Sberbank was notably absent from the initial group of banks participating in the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) trials, which began in August 2023. […]
Forbes: How Stripe and Stablecoins Are Reshaping Remote Work for a Global Workforce
In the rapidly evolving landscape of remote work, innovative payment solutions are playing a pivotal role in reshaping how businesses operate globally. A recent Forbes article titled “How Stripe and Stablecoins Are Rewiring Remote Work” delves into this transformation, highlighting the convergence of fintech innovations and decentralized finance (DeFi) in streamlining cross-border transactions. The Rise […]
Societe Generale-FORGE Leverages Ethereum Blockchain and Wholesale CBDC for Repo Transaction
Societe Generale-FORGE (SG-FORGE) has announced the successful execution of a repurchase (repo) transaction involving a wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC) and a digital bond issued on a public blockchain. The bond, originally issued in 2020, was utilised in a repo trade that demonstrates the evolving role of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in financial markets. […]
NOBO Joins the Digital Pound Foundation to Help Drive Change in Financial Services Across Europe and Africa
We are excited to announce the addition of NOBO, a fintech that is reducing friction in financial services across Europe and Africa with blockchain and open banking, to the Digital Pound Foundation (DPF) as Associate Members. NOBO’s mission is to provide seamless, secure, and efficient financial services through innovative technology solutions. By leveraging blockchain, integrating […]
Transforming RTGS: Bank of England Highlights New Connectivity and Synchronisation Plans
Victoria Cleland, Executive Director for Banking, Payments, and Innovation at the Bank of England, delivered a speech at FinTech Connect on 5 December 2024, outlining the future roadmap for the UK’s Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) service. In her address, she emphasised the Bank’s commitment to enhancing the resilience, accessibility, and functionality of the RTGS system […]
