Accenture Invests in Fintech Firm EMTECH to Support Central Bank Modernisation
Accenture, a member of the Digital Pound Foundation, has announced its investment in EMTECH, a global financial technology company that provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms to assist central banks in streamlining and modernising their operations. The investment, made through Accenture Ventures, aims to bolster EMTECH’s mission of transforming central banks’ financial and technological infrastructures, enabling them […]
Central Bank of Brazil Reveals Projects Selected for Second Phase of Drex CBDC Pilot Testing
The Central Bank of Brazil, in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, has announced a list of 13 selected themes for the second phase of the Drex CBDC Pilot platform. These themes were chosen from 42 use case proposals and mark the next step in testing the implementation of financial services using smart contracts. […]
MercadoLibre’s Fintech Arm Unveils Dollar-Backed Stablecoin in Brazil
MercadoLibre’s financial technology subsidiary, Mercado Pago, has launched its own U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin in Brazil, marking a significant expansion of its cryptocurrency offerings in the country. The stablecoin, named Meli Dolar, is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a one-to-one ratio and is now available for trading by all Mercado Pago clients via the fintech’s […]
Chavanette Advisors join the Digital Pound Foundation membership community
We are excited to announce the addition of Chavanette Advisors to the Digital Pound Foundation as Associate Members. Chavanette is a recognised thought leader in Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), regulated stablecoins, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Chavanette collaborates closely with Central Banks, monetary authorities, commercial banks and private organisations to design, implement, and drive […]
Unlocking the Potential of Web3 in Financial Services | Poundcast Episode 18
In episode 18 of the Poundcast, we welcome Rita Martins, author of the book “Web3 in Financial Services: How Blockchain, Digital Assets and Crypto are Disrupting Traditional Finance”. Rita discusses her career journey from consulting roles at Accenture and HSBC to her current focus on blockchain technology in finance. During this episode, Rita elaborates on […]
BIS Release Results of Survey on CBDCs and Cryptocurrency
94% of central banks are actively exploring the development of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), and the results from an extensive survey performed by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) involving 86 central banks highlights a significant increase in experiments and pilot programmes, particularly in advanced economies, with a notable rise in activity among […]
How Star Wars and Star Trek Got The Future of Money So Wrong! | Poundcast Episode 17
In episode 17 of the Poundcast, we are thrilled to host technologist and thought leader Dave Birch. With a rich background in secure communications and financial services, Dave shares his insights on the evolution of money from physical forms to digital assets. We delve into the historical context of money, discuss the role of digital […]
Insights from Ripple’s President: SEC Battles, Payment Innovations, and Stablecoins
In a recent episode of ‘The Scoop Podcast’ by The Block, Monica Long, President of Ripple, offered a detailed discussion about the strategic movements of Ripple, especially in relation to XRP and the company’s new venture into stablecoins. Monica Long elaborated on how the clarity obtained from last July’s U.S. court decision—which confirmed XRP is […]
Parfin Unveils Rayls to Enhance Privacy in Brazil’s CBDC Drex
Parfin, a financial technology firm, has developed Rayls, a new blockchain system designed to bolster privacy for Brazil’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), drex. Rayls operates in a permissioned mode, requiring Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance for all accounts, while also integrating with public blockchains via Rayls Public Chain, an Ethereum layer two (L2) solution. […]
Insights from Ripple’s 2023 Trends in Regional Payments Report
Source: Ripple The global payments industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace. The race is on to stay ahead of dramatic shifts in consumer preferences, regulatory changes, and technological innovations. A consistent theme across these advances is the use of modern payment solutions, including blockchain-enabled payments, to realize faster, more inclusive, and transparent customer experiences. […]
