Central banks should develop a deeper understanding of the consequences of issuing a digital currency, according to a Bank of Japan official. According to Reuters on Feb. 27, Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Masayoshi Amamiya explained that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) could streamline settlements and facilitate private money flows, but also stifle private financial innovation and banks: “When countries consider issuing central bank digital currencies, they must conduct a comprehensive study on how it affects their settlement and financial systems.” CBDC less urgent in advanced economies Amamiya noted that — unlike emerging economies — Japan could not and can …

Research on a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in China has been delayed as the coronavirus epidemic continues. Global Times reported on Feb. 25 that the epidemic’s impact on staff has resulted in significant setbacks. A source familiar with the matter reportedly said: “The coronavirus outbreak has led to postponed work resumption in government institutions, including the People's Bank of China. Policymakers and research staff involved in the DCEP [Digital Currency Electronic Payment] project are no exception, which weighs on the development process.” Shentu Qingchun, the CEO of Shenzhen-based blockchain company BankLedger — which is involved in the project — …

A recent report by a Major United States bank JP Morgan Chase suggested that current blockchain developments are lying down the foundation for digital money, but adoption is still years away. A report published by JP Morgan on Feb. 21 suggests that the finance industry is moving beyond blockchain technology. Blockchain in banking still years away Per the paper, the groundwork for mainstream adoption of blockchain, fast payments and digital currencies is already in place. According to JP Morgan, the adoption of blockchain in banking is three to five years away. Still, the bank also believes that project’s like Facebook’s …

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s mission is to demolish bankers’ fear of cryptocurrencies and get them on board with the new asset class. During a recent interview with CNN, Garlinghouse explained that “once regulators understand you're not circumventing regulatory frameworks they get very comfortable very quickly.” Garlinghouse said that someone at the World Economic Forum in Davos told him that “crypto is still a bad word here.” Because of this attitude in traditional finance, a big part of his work is explaining to bankers how crypto can solve real-world problems while staying compliant: “A lot of what I am doing [...] …

Kahina Van Dyke, former senior vice president of business and development at blockchain firm Ripple, took on the role of Global Head, Digital Channels and Client Data Analytics at major bank Standard Chartered. According to an official announcement published by Standard Chartered on Feb. 19, Van Dyke joined the bank’s Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking (CCIB) division. Improving Standard Chartered’s data analytics The CCIB division focuses on corporate clients, financial institutions, and investors. The experts working on the team connect those clients with each other, and provide them advice and access to financing. CCIB chief executive Simon Cooper explained in …

Bangladesh-based Bank Asia has joined Ripple’s RippleNet blockchain-based financial services network. The partnership was only recently discovered after a Twitter user pointed out the Bank Asia logo in an official Ripple document on Feb. 10. Still, the partnership must be well over a month old, given that the document in question was published in December 2019. Bank Asia’s logo is present on a page showing examples of RippleNet users, alongside Santander, American Express, MoneyGram, Send Friend, Standard Chartered, SABB and SBI Group. The LinkedIn profile of the bank’s head of foreign remittances Khandaker Mujahidul Islam shows that he is working …

Another Japanese lawmaker has publicly called for the swift development of the digital yen. The head of the banking and finance systems research commission at Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, Kozo Yamamoto, said today that the country should create a digital yen in two to three years. Reuters reported on Feb. 10 that Yamamoto said that plans for its central bank digital currency (CBDC) should be included in the government’s mid-year policy guidelines. He explained that digital currencies could quickly spread in emerging economies and help China — who is working on a CBDC — advance its digital hegemony. Because of …

Six major central banks will meet in April to discuss the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDC). The Japan Times reported on Feb. 6 that — according to a source familiar with the matter — the meeting will see the governors of several central banks discuss joint research on CBDCs. Furthermore, the group will share considerations on possible challenges such as cross-currency settlement and cybersecurity. The central banks of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland will reportedly meet in Washington D.C., when the participants will be there for an International Monetary Fund conference. The …

Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga explained his concerns about Libra in a Feb. 3 interview with the Financial Times. He bashed Libra for its lack of transparency while arguing that national payment systems are “really stupid.” Mastercard was one of the founding members of the Libra association, along with Visa, PayPal and Stripe. All four left in Oct. 2019 with no proper explanation, though rumors indicated fear of running afoul of regulators. Stepping on governmental toes Compliance appears to have been the primary cause for the sudden decision. The Libra association’s key members reportedly refused to commit to “not do anything …

Legislation regulating the operations of cryptocurrency firms in Singapore comes into effect today, Jan. 28. The new Payment Services Act will regulate cryptocurrency payments and trading enterprises under some aspects of the regulatory regime that currently governs traditional payment services and require them to hold a license. Crypto payment services must also comply with the Financial Advisers Act, Insurance Act, Securities and Futures Act and the Trust Companies Act. The new rules place crypto services under the oversight of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The regulator announced in a press release published earlier today that the new framework is expected …

Billionaire investor Tim Draper recommended millennials buy Bitcoin (BTC) during an interview with FOX Business published on Jan. 22. Per the report, Draper believes that Bitcoin is of particular importance to millennials that are looking to set aside enough capital for retirement. He suggested that the traditional banking system is outdated: “You look at Bitcoin and you say 'Hey, this is great because it's not my father's Oldsmobile. Our banking system is the Oldsmobile, is the old Oldsmobile.’” The faults of the banking system Draper also blamed traditional finance for putting millennials into hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt. …

The World Economic Forum (WEF) — together with some of the world's major central banks — has created a central bank digital currency (CBDC) policymaker toolkit. According to an announcement on Jan. 22, the toolkit is the WEF's attempt to help policy-makers understand whether deploying a CBDC would be advantageous and guide them through its design. The WEF collaborated with regulators, central bank researchers, international organizations and experts from over 40 institutions to develop the framework. The head of blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) at the World Economic Forum Sheila Warren explained: “Given the critical roles central banks play …