CRYPTOCURRENCY
Japan Accelerates Digital Yen Plans Amidst Global CBDC Race
Japan is advancing its plans for a digital yen, with the Bank of Japan set to pilot a CBDC program and the finance ministry preparing an expert panel to address legalities, signaling a significant shift in Japan's traditional cash-centric economy.
ANZ Bank Pushes Customers Towards Digital, Faces Criticism
ANZ Bank is facing criticism as it discontinues withdrawals and deposits from a number of Australian branches to encourage customers to use digital transactions. Critics suggest this could impact older customers and increase vulnerability to technical issues. This decision highlights the gradual shift towards a cashless society in Australia, with cash payments falling from 59% in 2007 to 27% in 2019.
Lebanon Considers a Central Bank Digital Currency for 2021
The Governor of The Central Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh has revealed the possibility of the bank launching a digital currency by 2021.
Reserve Bank of Australia Meeting Finds No Strong Case for CBDC or e-AUD
The Reserve Bank of Australia has found no strong public policy-case to issue a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC).
First Blockchain National Currency Platform Ready for Central Banks’ CBDC Issuance
The blockchain national currency platform issued by blockchain company Apollo Fintech was finalized and completed on August 12.
China's Pursuit of Digital Yuan "Unswerving" in Wake of COVID-19 Global Pandemic, says Central Bank
China’s central bank has further galvanised its public commitment to creating the first central bank digital currency (CBDC), a digital version of the Yuan, at an annual meeting hosted last Friday by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) vice governor Yifei Fan.
The End of Physical Cash is an Inevitable Reality and Not to be Feared Says Union Bank President
As the world tries to come to terms with the coronavirus outbreak, recently Edwin Bautista chief executive and president of UnionBank of the Philippines revealed how digital services could support consumers as they increasingly self-isolate themselves or have to work remotely for an extended timeframe. The fintech leader projected the end of cash as the coronavirus crisis provokes banks to fast track the shift towards digital. But will the end of physical cash become a reality? The trend towards cashless remains inevitable as the current events seem to accelerate this process.