TheDinarian
News • Business • Investing & Finance
Is safe the new sexy? CBDCs, trust and the evolution of money
Ripple and others mentioned
August 17, 2023
post photo preview

Central banks have been exploring ways to issue their own digital currencies for years. Yet their efforts haven’t captured the public’s attention — for better or, more recently, for worse — like cryptocurrencies have. But central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs — essentially a digital version of fiat currency backed by a government and therefore far less speculative than crypto — are gaining momentum, with the potential to have an even bigger impact on our everyday lives.

Central banks around the world are experimenting with issuing these digital currencies to complement traditional payments, both the physical version in your wallet and the online version in your banking app. In fact, 93% of central banks are engaged in some form of work on CBDCs, and four retail CBDCs are already in full live circulation, according to the Bank for International Settlements.

But there are many questions that central banks need to consider, says Jesse McWaters, who leads global regulatory advocacy at Mastercard. This includes the role of the private sector in CBDC issuance, security, privacy and interoperability — such as how a CBDC works with other commonly used payment mechanisms, what specific challenges CBDCs would solve and whether they’re even the right tool for the job.  

To bring a greater understanding of the benefits and limitations of CBDCs and how to implement them in a way that is safe, seamless and useful, Mastercard is convening a group of leading blockchain technology and payment service providers to join its new CBDC Partner Program. It’s designed to foster collaboration with key players in the space so they can drive innovation and efficiencies, says Raj Dhamodharan, head of digital assets and blockchain at Mastercard.

The inaugural set of partners includes CBDC platform Ripple, blockchain and Web3 software company Consensys, multi-CBDC and tokenized assets solution provider Fluency, digital identity technology provider Idemia, digital identity consultant Consult Hyperion, security technology group Giesecke+Devrient and digital asset operations platform Fireblocks.

Their efforts include Fluency’s work to build interoperability among different CBDCs, Consult Hyperion’s work with central banks and payment processors to define their CBDC requirements and Ripple’s launch of an inaugural government-issued national stablecoin in collaboration with the Republic of Palau, in addition to work on four CBDC pilots.

“We believe in payment choice and that interoperability across the different ways of making payments is an essential component of a flourishing economy,” Dhamodharan says. “As we look ahead toward a digitally driven future, it will be essential that the value held as a CBDC is as easy to use as other forms of money.”

CBDC program partner Giesecke+Devrient, based in Germany, has a legacy in public currency that dates back 170 years, when it first started printing banknotes. Today the company specializes in safeguarding both physical and digital assets. It works with central banks to roll out digital currencies, offering its CBDC solution called G+D Filia, which can enable secure offline payments. That feature is important both for ensuring as many people as possible can use CBDCs and ensuring you can access your money even amid connectivity problems or power failures. Filia can be used for online and offline payments using a variety of wallet types and IoT devices.

“What we’ve seen is that cash is still there, and that won’t change, but there is emerging demand for a public digital currency,” says Sebastian Baierle, manager of strategic partnerships for CBDC at G+D. “And the intentions vary from country to country.”

Baierle says the Bank of Ghana — which is partnering with G+D on its CBDC pilot — wants to use CBDCs to bring more of its citizens into the formal financial economy. By contrast, the Swedish central bank might be more concerned that the rapid shift away from cash in that country is reducing consumers’ access to a form of money directly backed by the central bank, something it is committed to preserving, McWaters says.

"As we look ahead towards a digitally driven future, it will be essential that the value held as a CBDC is as easy to use as other forms of money.” -------Raj Dhamodharan

As the technology continues to mature, there’s still plenty for this partnership to study and consider. For one thing, CBDCs have yet to gain wide acceptance. While BIS expects as many as 24 central bank digital currencies to be circulating by decade’s end, more than two-thirds of central banks say they’re unlikely, in the near term, to issue a digital currency people can use for everyday purchases.

This stems partly from the complex issues involved, says Varun Paul, who was most recently head of the Bank of England’s fintech hub and now oversees CBDC and market infrastructure for Fireblocks.

For example, central banks must determine how to strike the right balance between privacy and transparency, to prevent illicit activities while preserving an individual’s right to privacy.

“Privacy is extremely important to users. It’s really the No. 1 topic,” says Jerome Ajdenbaum, who leads the digital currencies business for Idemia, citing a recent European Central Bank survey on the digital euro. It’s vital to demonstrate to the user that their privacy is protected, “not just that we promise” to do so, he adds.

Idemia develops cryptographic techniques for offline payments to ensure privacy for individuals, while still maintaining enough oversight to prevent fraud. The company has partnered with the Bank of England on exactly this issue, working to understand the right level of privacy for its CBDC project.

Another conundrum is getting people to use the new digital currency. In the few countries that have formally adopted CBDCs, some people have been reluctant to adopt a form of money they’re not familiar with, Fireblocks’ Paul notes.

Hesitancy may have increased in the wake of last year’s “crypto winter,” with scandals threatening the trust that the digital ecosystem needs to evolve and thrive. Paul says that recent high-profile collapses actually strengthen the case for CBDCs, which (like regular currency and government bonds) are fully backed by a central bank and government.

For CBDCs to succeed in the years ahead will also require central banks to build trust through improved communication. “I’d argue,” Paul says, “that there’s a huge amount to be done to explain to the public what this thing is, why it should be used and when it should be used.”

CBDCs shouldn’t be adopted in a vacuum, and the work of the Mastercard CBDC Partner Program will help central banks understand how to develop a CBDC that adds something new and valuable to the economy, McWaters says.

“By assembling the strengths, deep expertise and different capabilities of these partners, we can drive innovation in the central banking community and along the CBDC value chain as the space continues to evolve,” Dhamodharan says.

Implemented poorly, a CBDC could create disruptions in the established payment system and crowd out private sector investment. Citing U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell on the potential for a digital dollar, McWaters adds, “It’s more important to get it right than to be first.”

Link

community logo
Join the TheDinarian Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
0
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
⚠️ Vietnam has closed 86 million bank accounts...

"Vietnam has closed 86 million bank accounts... because they refused... the digital ID."

"You had to register a digital ID with biometric data... And if you don't do it, we'll take your money, whether you like it or not."

"It's coming here. They're pushing for digital IDs."

"We had it during Covid. Oh, just get one vaccination and you'll be fine. And then they took away your permissions... and said, no, actually, you need another one. And then another one."

"The more we give away our freedom, our power, the more they'll take."

"We are on the edge of a cliff... We have to show that we are not going to allow this or accept this. Because if we all stopped going to work, or we all stopped using our cards, they'd... listen to us rather quickly."

"And that's a choice we still have at the moment. If cash disappears, that choice is gone forever."

"And I wouldn't like to think of the world where we are controlled—where we can drive, where we can fly, what food we can eat—and the bank can choose ...

00:03:23
It's All About The Bloodlines Retaining Control 👁 THEY Are Targeting The Children

Chelsea Clinton has launched a new podcast aimed at “debunking misinformation” on health topics like vaccines and fluoride, featuring a lineup of so-called experts.

The show, That Can’t Be True!, will cover topics like childhood vaccines, fluoride, and raw milk, with Clinton and guests aiming to dismiss “misleading” claims.

Clinton has previously admitted to working with the World Health Organization and the Gates Foundation on a massive childhood immunization campaign 👉 to catch as many kids up as possible. 👩‍👧‍👧

00:02:26
Built On Stellar XLM 💎 😉

Blockchain adoption demands both privacy and transparency. Stellar is built for both.

@tomerweller, SDF's Chief Product Officer, shares the path to privacy on Stellar:

Dont underestimate Stellar..
This is financial advice. 💎

00:01:01
👉 Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading

Custom AI assistants that print money in your sleep? 🔜

The future of Crypto x AI is about to go crazy.

👉 Here’s what you need to know:

💠 'Based Agent' enables creation of custom AI agents
💠 Users set up personalized agents in < 3 minutes
💠 Equipped w/ crypto wallet and on-chain functions
💠 Capable of completing trades, swaps, and staking
💠 Integrates with Coinbase’s SDK, OpenAI, & Replit

👉 What this means for the future of Crypto:

1. Open Access: Democratized access to advanced trading
2. Automated Txns: Complex trades + streamlined on-chain activity
3. AI Dominance: Est ~80% of crypto 👉txns done by AI agents by 2025

🚨 I personally wouldn't bet against Brian Armstrong and Jesse Pollak.

👉 Coinbase just launched an AI agent for Crypto Trading
New Reggie Middleton Video..

Those (both citizens and sovereign nations) who don't own crypto/AI infrastructure (most importantly, the IP) will be relegated to a second class. Look at the forward citations of this patented invention to see how individuals can claim their piece of the pie.

https://x.com/ReggieMiddleton/status/1974107616637825225

Coinbase is Excited to be partnering with @Samsung to make crypto even more accessible.

We’re offering 75M+ Samsung Galaxy users in the U.S. free access to Coinbase One to bring them onboard. And we’ve fully integrated Samsung Pay, so every Coinbase user in the U.S. can use that to buy crypto.

https://www.coinbase.com/blog/Samsung-taps-Coinbase-to-bring-crypto-to-more-than-75-million-Galaxy-users

post photo preview

🚨🗞️NEW: Government Shutdown Puts Crypto ETF Approvals On Ice

Routine approvals and filings are delayed while the shutdown limits @SECGov operations, @rstormsf moves to dismiss his conviction, and this week’s top stories. ⬇️

https://www.cryptoinamerica.com/p/government-shutdown-puts-crypto-etf

post photo preview
post photo preview
The Great Onboarding: US Government Anchors Global Economy into Web3 via Pyth Network

For years, the crypto world speculated that the next major cycle would be driven by institutional adoption, with Wall Street finally legitimizing Bitcoin through vehicles like ETFs. While that prediction has indeed materialized, a recent development signifies a far more profound integration of Web3 into the global economic fabric, moving beyond mere financial products to the very infrastructure of data itself. The U.S. government has taken a monumental step, cementing Web3's role as a foundational layer for modern data distribution. This door, once opened, is poised to remain so indefinitely.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has officially partnered with leading blockchain oracle providers, Pyth Network and Chainlink, to distribute critical official economic data directly on-chain. This initiative marks a historic shift, bringing immutable, transparent, and auditable data from the federal government itself onto decentralized networks. This is not just a technological upgrade; it's a strategic move to enhance data accuracy, transparency, and accessibility for a global audience.

Specifically, Pyth Network has been selected to publish Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, starting with quarterly releases going back five years, with plans to expand to a broader range of economic datasets. Chainlink, the other key partner, will provide data feeds from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), including Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index. This crucial economic information will be made available across a multitude of blockchain networks, including major ecosystems like Ethereum, Avalanche, Base, Bitcoin, Solana, Tron, Stellar, Arbitrum One, Polygon PoS, and Optimism.

This development is closer to science fiction than traditional finance. The same oracle network, Pyth, that secures data for over 350 decentralized applications (dApps) across more than 50 blockchains, processing over $2.5 trillion in total trading volume through its oracles, is now the system of record for the United States' core economic indicators. Pyth's extensive infrastructure, spanning over 107 blockchains and supporting more than 600 applications, positions it as a trusted source for on-chain data. This is not about speculative assets; it's about leveraging proven, robust technology for critical public services.

The significance of this collaboration cannot be overstated. By bringing official statistics on-chain, the U.S. government is embracing cryptographic verifiability and immutable publication, setting a new precedent for how governments interact with decentralized technology. This initiative aligns with broader transparency goals and is supported by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, positioning the U.S. as a world leader in finance and blockchain innovation. The decision by a federal entity to trust decentralized oracles with sensitive economic data underscores the growing institutional confidence in these networks.

This is the cycle of the great onboarding. The distinction between "Web2" and "Web3" is rapidly becoming obsolete. When government data, institutional flows, and grassroots builders all operate on the same decentralized rails, we are simply talking about the internet—a new iteration, yes, but the internet nonetheless: an immutable internet where data is not only published but also verified and distributed in real-time.

Pyth Network stands as tangible proof that this technology serves a vital purpose. It demonstrates that the industry has moved beyond abstract "crypto tech" to offering solutions that address real-world needs and are now actively sought after and understood by traditional entities. Most importantly, it proves that Web3 is no longer seeking permission; it has received the highest validation a system can receive—the trust of governments and markets alike.

This is not merely a fleeting trend; it's a crowning moment in global adoption. The U.S. government has just validated what many in the Web3 space have been building towards for years: that Web3 is not a sideshow, but a foundational layer for the future. The current cycle will be remembered as the moment the world definitively crossed this threshold, marking the last great opportunity to truly say, "we were early."

🙏 Donations Accepted 🙏

If you find value in my content, consider showing your support via:

💳 PayPal: 
1) Simply scan the QR code below 📲
2) or visit https://www.paypal.me/thedinarian

🔗 Crypto Donations👇
XRP: r9pid4yrQgs6XSFWhMZ8NkxW3gkydWNyQX
XLM: GDMJF2OCHN3NNNX4T4F6POPBTXK23GTNSNQWUMIVKESTHMQM7XDYAIZT
XDC: xdcc2C02203C4f91375889d7AfADB09E207Edf809A6

Read full Article
post photo preview
US Dept of Commerce to publish GDP data on blockchain

On Tuesday during a televised White House cabinet meeting, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced the intention to publish GDP statistics on blockchains. Today Chainlink and Pyth said they were selected as the decentralized oracles to distribute the data.

Lutnick said, “The Department of Commerce is going to start issuing its statistics on the blockchain because you are the crypto President. And we are going to put out GDP on the blockchain, so people can use the blockchain for data distribution. And then we’re going to make that available to the entire government. So, all of you can do it. We’re just ironing out all the details.”

The data includes Real GDP and the PCE Price Index, which reflects changes in the prices of domestic consumer goods and services. The statistics are released monthly and quarterly. The biggest initial use will likely be by on-chain prediction markets. But as more data comes online, such as broader inflation data or interest rates from the Federal Reserve, it could be used to automate various financial instruments. Apart from using the data in smart contracts, sources of tamperproof data 👉will become increasingly important for generative AI.

While it would be possible to procure the data from third parties, it is always ideal to get it from the source to ensure its accuracy. Getting data directly from government sources makes it tamperproof, provided the original data feed has not been manipulated before it reaches the oracle.

Source

🙏 Donations Accepted 🙏

If you find value in my content, consider showing your support via:

💳 PayPal: 
1) Simply scan the QR code below 📲
2) or visit https://www.paypal.me/thedinarian

🔗 Crypto
XRP: r9pid4yrQgs6XSFWhMZ8NkxW3gkydWNyQX
XLM: GDMJF2OCHN3NNNX4T4F6POPBTXK23GTNSNQWUMIVKESTHMQM7XDYAIZT
XDC: xdcc2C02203C4f91375889d7AfADB09E207Edf809A6

Read full Article
post photo preview
List Of Cardano Wallets

Well-known and actively maintained wallets supporting the Cardano Blockchain are EternlTyphonVesprYoroiLaceADAliteNuFiDaedalusGeroLodeWalletCoin WalletADAWalletAtomicGem WalletTrust and Exodus.

Note that in case of issues, usually only queries relating to official wallets can be answered in Cardano groups across telegram/forum. You may need to consult with specific wallet support teams for third party wallets.

Tips

  • Its is important to ensure that you're in sole control of your wallet keys, and that the keys used can be restored via alternate wallet providers if a particular one is non-functional. Hence, put extra attention to Non-Custodial and Compatibility fields.
  • The score column below is strictly a count of checks against each feature listed, the impact of specific feature (and thus, score) is up to reader's descretion.
  • The table represents current state on mainnet network, any future roadmap activities are out-of-scope.
  • Info on individual fields can be found towards the end of the page.
  • Any field that shows partial support (eg: open-source field) does not score the point for that field.

Brief info on fields above

  • Non-Custodial: are wallets where payment as well as stake keys are not shared/reused by wallet provider, and funds can be transparently verified on explorer
  • Compatibility: If the wallet mnemonics/keys can easily (for non-technical user) be used outside of specific wallet provider in major other wallets
  • Stake Control: Freedom to elect stake pool for user to delegate to (in user-friendly way)
  • Transparent Support: Easy approachability of a public interactive - eg: discord/telegram - group (with non-anonymous users) who can help out with support. Twitter/Email supports do not count for a check
  • Voting: Ability to participate in Catalyst voting process
  • Hardware Wallet: Integration with atleast Ledger Nano device
  • Native Assets: Ability to view native assets that belong to wallet
  • dApp Integration: Ability to interact with dApps
  • Stability: represents whether there have been large number of users reporting missing tokens/balance due to wallet backend being out of sync
  • Testnets Support: Ability to easily (for end-user) open wallets in atleast one of the cardano testnet networks
  • Custom Backend Support: Ability to elect a custom backend URL for selecting alternate way to submit transactions transactions created on client machines
  • Single/Multi Address Mode: Ability to use/import Single as well as Multiple Address modes for a wallet
  • Mobile App: Availability on atleast one of the popular mobile platforms
  • Desktop (app,extension,web): Ways to open wallet app on desktop PCs
  • Open Source: Whether the complete wallet (all components) are open source and can be run independently.

Source

🙏 Donations Accepted 🙏

If you find value in my content, consider showing your support via:

💳 PayPal: 
1) Simply scan the QR code below 📲
2) or visit https://www.paypal.me/thedinarian

🔗 Crypto
XRP: r9pid4yrQgs6XSFWhMZ8NkxW3gkydWNyQX
XLM: GDMJF2OCHN3NNNX4T4F6POPBTXK23GTNSNQWUMIVKESTHMQM7XDYAIZT
XDC: xdcc2C02203C4f91375889d7AfADB09E207Edf809A6

 

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals