Belarus’ Central Bank thinks its new CBDC will let Minsk “decentralize cross-border trade,” and has earmarked a national rollout for 2026. Per ONT, the National Bank of Belarus (NBB)’s Deputy Head of Research and Strategic Development Mikhail Demidenko, said: “The [goal] is primarily the decentralization of cross-border payments. The problem in the modern world is…
Read more
Minsk is looking for ways to end Belarus’ sanctions woes, with its central bank confirming the planned launch of a blockchain-powered CBDC. Per Sputnik Belarus, the National Bank of Belarus (NBB) is keen to make use of smart contract technology. A spokesperson told reporters on February 3: “We plan to classify settlements using the digital…
Read more
Legendary investor Jim Rogers believes that governments are unlikely to authorize Bitcoin, or other major cryptocurrencies, as official fiat money. “I don’t see cryptocurrencies becoming money because governments do not want that competition,” he said in a recent interview with Kitco News. He recognized Bitcoin’s broader acceptance but cautioned that this doesn’t equate to the…
Read more
The first cross-border digital dirham payment was completed by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of the Central Bank of the UAE, using the Mbridge platform, a central bank digital currency (CBDC) liquidity and interconnection tool. The settlement involved sending 50 million dirhams ($13.6 million) directly to China. UAE Completes First…
Read more
The United Arab Emirates and China have executed their first cross-border central bank digital currency (CBDC) transaction valued at $13.6 million using digital dirham and digital yuan. According to People.cn, the 50-million-dirham ($13.6 million) transaction occurred via the m-CBDC Bridge platform during the Central Bank of UAE’s 50th anniversary celebration in Abu Dhabi. This payment…
Read more
The number of banks participating in Russia’s central bank digital currency pilot has increased to 30. Seventeen banks have signed an agreement with the Bank of Russia to participate in the digital ruble program. They will join 13 other banks, about 600 citizens, and 30 trading and service companies that are already testing Russia’s central…
Read more
Russia’s digital ruble pilot is gathering pace, with 17 more banks joining the Central Bank’s CBDC project. The group of banks includes heavyweights such as Sberbank and Tinkoff, the Central Bank explained in an official statement. This represents a major coup for the Central Bank. Both Sberbank and Tinkoff pulled out of the first phase…
Read more
Belarus is at the forefront of financial innovation as it takes significant strides towards introducing its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the digital Belarusian ruble. In collaboration with the Center for Banking Technologies, the National Bank of Belarus is leveraging the open Hyperledger Fabric blockchain network to develop a robust platform for this digital currency.…
Read more
The Governor of Russia’s Central Bank says she is speaking to BRICS member states about using “digital currencies” to power international trade. Per RIA Novosti and 1Prime, the bank’s long-serving Governor Elvira Nabiullina said the Central Bank was “currently holding consultations with friendly countries, including BRICS members, on cross-border payments through digital currencies.” Nabiullina remarked…
Read more
U.S. House Representative and Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets Chair French Hill (R-AR) has voiced optimism about the progress of cryptocurrency legislation in 2024. During an event hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Jan. 29, Hill discussed the crypto legislation in the United States in the upcoming year, especially regarding the…
Read more
