Fintech
Five digital currency questions for central banks
Central bankers need to take a view on the ongoing disruption to monetary systems, rather than simply expecting the issue will go away, argues Adam Csabay
US sanctions on Venezuela could be death knell for petro
Crypto asset is backed by oil reserves the country can barely commercialise
CBDC is mixed bag for financial stability – Bank of Korea
Central bank paper highlights stability concerns but says there are instances within which a CBDC could strengthen stability
Thailand and Cambodia join forces on QR code network
Central banks to pilot QR code network for retail payments
Countries must counter money-laundering through fintech – IMF official
IMF’s Adrian calls for regional co-operation and consultation on new payment systems
UAE central bank and Sama partner for blockchain project
New system will provide central financial transfer system that aims to make the process of remittance payments more efficient
Book notes: Democratizing Money?, by Beat Weber
This is a timely book about ‘how money really works’
Latin America has 66% more fintech startups than in 2017 – IDB
IDB report also reveals the region has a higher proportion of female founders than global average
Dutch central bank and regulator call for AML law for crypto assets
But regulations should change to make crypto asset financing easier for small firms – DNB
Crypto assets hobbled by proof of work, finds BIS economist
Raphael Auer says bitcoin payments could take “nearly a year” to become truly final
Malta’s crypto asset plan means greater money laundering risks, IMF warns
Authorities must rapidly improve AML regime and guarantee FSA’s independence, mission says
Adoption of a privately-issued digital currency can reduce social welfare, researchers find
Optimal policy can be achieved through central bank digital currency, authors say
AML/CFT regulation to cover crypto assets – Sarb
New proposals will construct a “limited” regulatory framework for crypto assets
Switzerland grants fintech firms access to interbank payment system
Federal government modified ordinance to create new licensing category on January 1
EC should conduct ‘comprehensive’ crypto analysis, says EBA
Regulator says crypto assets fall outside the scope of current EU financial services regulation
BoE keeping ‘open mind’ on central bank digital currency – Carney
But “it could be some time” before private accounts are available at BoE, if they are ever offered, governor says during online Q&A
Divergent motives fuelling CBDC discussion, BIS survey reveals
Majority of central banks are researching the various forms of CBDC, but very few expect to launch in the next six years
Central Bank of Ireland gives go-ahead to Google payments
Tech giant awarded licence under PSD2
The ‘great fintech wall of China’?
Deploying fintech wrappers could help to solve part of the People’s Bank of China’s capital control dilemma; trials possible in Greater Bay Area
Beyond payments: central bank digital currency
The issuance of central bank digital currencies, such as Sweden’s proposed e-krona, could facilitate monetary policy beyond the zero lower bound
Fintech poses “serious” challenge to governance, says former PBoC deputy
Li Dongrong warns of fintech spillover risks, regulatory arbitrage and digital divide; dismisses PBoC use of ‘untested’ blockchain
Cyber resilience hinges on collaboration, Nordic central bankers say
A decline in cash usage means Nordic economies cannot rely on it as a backstop when systems fail; preventative measures must be cost effective, says Norwegian deputy
Fintech could help financial inclusion - South African deputy governor
Sarb’s Groepe praises Singapore’s one-stop data repository
FCA survey reveals significant increase in tech failures
Cyber incidents represented 18% of incidents reported to the FCA in year to October, despite firms appearing confident with current systems and processes