Fintech
UK lawmakers launch inquiry into DLT and cryptocurrency
Parliamentary committee is to investigate whether UK regulators have struck the right balance in regulating emerging technologies without stifling innovation
Basel Committee weighs opportunities and risks linked to fintech
Regulators should adapt their policies to new risks while not stifling innovation
We don’t need cryptocurrencies – former St Louis Fed economist
Current payment infrastructure and physical cash already provide the benefits offered by cryptocurrencies, says Stephen Williamson
FCA to examine feasibility of global regulatory sandbox
UK regulator recommends establishing a “college” of regulators to strengthen co-operation across borders; interested parties have until March to comment
BIS’s Carstens sees danger in rapid technological change
General manager says supervisors should ensure the banking system remains resilient amid numerous challenges to traditional business models
Sarb unveils new fintech push
South Africa’s central bank to investigate DLT usage for clearing and settlement; fintech roadmap will examine crypto regulation
European authorities warn of dangers in cryptocurrency markets
Spanish and Dutch central banks warn of “misleading” data and unregulated markets
New York Fed economists unconvinced on crypto’s viable uses
Cryptocurrencies would work in dystopian world, economists say, but current environment means advanced economies have no need for them
BIS’s Carstens calls for cryptocurrency clampdown
Bitcoin has become “a combination of a bubble, a Ponzi scheme and an environmental disaster”
Co-operation key to cyber defence success, says Sarb deputy
Groepe says institutions need to ensure fintech interconnectivity does not cause system failure; new players should be held to the same security standards
Do not ban cryptocurrencies – DNB
Central bank says a ban would be difficult to enforce and could impede innovation
Asian central banks crack down on cryptocurrency
Central banks in China, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore all taking action as cryptocurrency prices slump
Bank of Lithuania set to board the blockchain
Central bank in the process of creating blockchain-specific sandbox that will grant firms access to its own platform, LBChain; hoping to launch in 2019
Danish central bank dismisses central bank digital currency
Digital instrument would not make current payment system more efficient, says report, adding introducing such a currency would pit the central bank against commercial institutions
Bank Negara Malaysia issues new digital currency regulation
Proposed regulation aims to hold digital exchanges to a higher standard of transparency, while ensuring they identify any AML/CFT risks that may arise
Google’s Hal Varian on how technology is changing economics
Google’s chief economist talks to Christopher Jeffery about how big data and machine learning are facilitating changes in economic thinking; discusses the impact technical breakthroughs may have for central banks
RBA’s Lowe discusses potential electronic Aussie dollar
Financial stability risk and reforms holding back provision of digital currency at the moment, says RBA governor, but clearing and settlement could be future use case
Ingves: Riksbank ‘will soon take a stance’ on e-krona
The executive board will examine whether e-krona could be the gateway to central bank money, as the decline in cash continues in Sweden
Italian central bank launches fintech initiative
New communication channel will allow firms to directly engage with the central bank
Venezuela to launch cryptocurrency as cash crisis continues
New cryptocurrency will be backed by Venezuela’s oil reserves and other raw materials; new ‘blockchain observatory’ has responsibility for oversight
BoJ working closely with fintech firms, says Kuroda
Fintech can make contributions to both emerging and developed countries, but needs close monitoring, Haruhiko Kuroda says
Asian banks vulnerable to fintech disruption, report finds
Banks reliant on transaction fees will struggle to compete with fintech firms who will offer cheaper alternatives; banks in HK, Korea and Singapore all at risk
Digital currencies may foster competitiveness in retail payments, research finds
But central banks should be cautious and implement non-anonymous models to preserve security