Bitcoin
Bitcoin becomes legal tender in El Salvador
Observers warn move could further destabilise the fragile Salvadoran economy
Book notes: Fintech regulation in China, by Robin Hui Huang
The book includes meticulous exploration of detailed regulations across the Chinese fintech sector, but risks missing some of the bigger picture due to China’s on/off oversight
The six key drivers for digital currency
Dave Birch breaks down the forces that are pushing central banks towards CBDC
PBoC to support green finance with low-cost funding
Bank says it will extend its tougher regulation of crypto assets
Central banks leverage multimedia communication channels
Around a third have added podcasts, mobile apps and blogs to their comms repertoire
Mexico reminds banks crypto transactions are illegal
After El Salvador bitcoin law, authorities state virtual assets ‘not legal tender in Mexico’
PBoC tightens ban on crypto transactions
PBoC warns largest banks to verify customers’ identities and stop aiding bitcoin-related transactions
China abandons cryptocurrencies under the PBoC (this time it’s for real)
New data centres set to be established to compensate provinces for lost crypto mining revenues
El Salvador’s bitcoin currency experiment
Move by first nation to approve bitcoin as legal tender raises important issues
Central banks will need new tools if low rates persist – Rogoff
Governments must clamp down on crypto assets while central banks develop CBDCs, economist says
Basel Committee proposes strict treatment of crypto asset exposures
Crypto assets such as bitcoin will face risk weight of 1,250%
El Salvador to make bitcoin legal tender
President claims the move, a first for any country, will aid remittances and financial inclusion
Bitcoin plunges as China cracks down on crypto assets
Chinese industry bodies toughen restrictions on crypto services offered by financial institutions
Stablecoin issuer agrees to settle lawsuit over ‘deceptive’ trading practices
New York attorney general accuses Tether of lying about the backing of its crypto asset with US dollars
Decentralised, private, cash-like: researchers propose CBDC designs
Canadian universities outline several options for a central bank digital currency
Ulrich Bindseil on the launch of the digital euro
The ECB’s director-general for market infrastructure and payments speaks about the functionality, tiering approaches, privacy policies, ledger technology and ecosystem impact of the eurozone's planned CBDC
Dutch crypto firm takes legal action against DNB
Bitonic says new KYC requirements are disproportionate and threaten consumer privacy
Book notes: The currency cold war, by David Birch
Pleasant and interesting read on whether digital money will jeopardise the US dollar’s dominant role in global trade and finance
The role of Tips for the future payments landscape
Tips could support euro CBDC plus cross-border payments in many currencies
How can central banks secure the future of money?
Central banks should start tackling the accounting, legal and policy challenges related to CBDC. This work will shape the future of money, as could be witnessed in Albania
Facebook’s libra could disrupt collateral markets – IMF paper
Collateral used to back ‘stablecoins’ such as libra will be unavailable for reuse
Book notes: The power of money, by Robert Pringle
Economists would benefit from reading this “remarkable” book, which contains “brilliantly written snapshots” about money’s historical and social roles
2020: fintech and beyond
At the turn of the decade, central bankers share their thoughts on financial technology – past, present and future
In search of a better definition of digital money
Dave Birch tries to cut through the noise on cryptocurrencies, blockchains and everything in between