Innovation in Money and Payments: The Digital Pound Foundation’s Response to the Bank of England
The Digital Pound Foundation has responded to the Bank of England’s July 2024 discussion paper on innovation in money and payments (download here), offering insights drawn from its members’ expertise in digital money and central bank digital currency (CBDC) projects. Our response emphasises the foundational role a digital Pound could play in securing the UK’s […]
Bank of England Governor Signals Potential Role for a Retail CBDC if Commercial Banks Lag on Innovation
In a significant address at the Group of Thirty’s 39th Annual International Banking Seminar in Washington, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey stressed the importance of modernising the UK’s payment infrastructure. Bailey highlighted the urgent need for reforms in cross-border and wholesale payment systems, where speed, cost-efficiency, transparency, and access remain pressing issues. He argued […]
Brazil’s Drex CBDC pilot enters second phase with focus on privacy and interoperability
The Central Bank of Brazil has opened applications for phase two of its Drex central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot project. Between 14th October and 29th November, businesses can submit proposals, particularly those that can be implemented using smart contracts. While no official launch date for Drex has been confirmed, Fábio Araújo, the Drex coordinator […]
Tokenization and DLT Set to Reshape European Financial Systems
In a notable speech this week, European Central Bank (ECB) Director Piero Cipollone advocated for the creation of a European ledger to support tokenization in capital markets. This would serve as the EU’s equivalent of a Unified Ledger. Cipollone acknowledged the difficulties in establishing a traditional Capital Markets Union, particularly the need for greater legal […]
China Reports Rapid Growth for Digital Yuan: 180 Million Wallets and 7 Trillion Yuan in CBDC Transactions
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has reported notable progress in the adoption of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital yuan, with 180 million individual wallets opened as of 31 July, according to local media reports on 11 October. The CBDC has facilitated transactions amounting to over 7.3 trillion yuan (£1 trillion) across […]
Russia Adjusts Digital Rouble Rollout, Mandating CBDC Acceptance by July 2025
Elvira Nabiullina, the Governor of the Bank of Russia, has confirmed that the digital rouble, the nation’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), remains on track for its mass rollout in July 2025. This announcement follows adjustments to the digital rouble’s pilot programme and new obligations for banks and merchants regarding CBDC adoption. Earlier reports indicated […]
BoE and FCA Invite Applications for UK’s Digital Securities Sandbox
In January, the UK introduced new legislation establishing a five-year Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS) that temporarily eases certain legal requirements to enable the exploration of emerging technologies, including distributed ledger technology (DLT) experimentation. Today, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have opened applications for participation in the sandbox. In traditional markets, […]
40+ Financial Firms Join Project Agorá to Enhance Cross-Border Payments Using Tokenization
More than 40 private sector financial firms have joined forces with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and a consortium of leading central banks in Project Agorá, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing wholesale cross-border payments through tokenization. The project is being facilitated by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) and represents a significant step […]
New UK Law Grants Legal Protection to Digital Assets such as Cryptocurrency and NFTs
In a historic move, the UK government last week introduced the Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill to Parliament, which for the first time, recognises digital holdings as personal property under British law. This milestone legislation will cover a range of digital assets, including cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) such as digital art, and carbon credits. The […]
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 […]
