Central bank digital currency (CBDC) is a form of digital money that is issued and regulated by a central bank. Unlike cryptocurrencies, which are decentralized and operate on a peer-to-peer network, CBDCs are centralized and backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing authority. CBDCs aim to provide the benefits of digital payments, such as convenience, speed, and lower costs, while maintaining the stability and security of the traditional monetary system.
One of the key technologies that enable CBDCs is distributed ledger technology (DLT), which is a system of recording and verifying transactions without the need for a central intermediary. DLT allows for faster and cheaper cross-border payments, enhanced transparency and traceability, and improved resilience against cyberattacks. However, DLT also poses some challenges, such as scalability, interoperability, privacy, and governance.
Several countries have been exploring or implementing CBDCs in recent years, with different approaches and objectives. Some of the notable examples are:
- The Bahamas: The Bahamas launched the world’s first CBDC, called the Sand Dollar, in October 2020. The Sand Dollar is a digital version of the Bahamian dollar that can be used for domestic payments through mobile phones. The main goal of the Sand Dollar is to increase financial inclusion and access, especially for the remote islands of the archipelago.
- China: China has been developing its CBDC, called the Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP), since 2014. The DCEP is a digital version of the yuan that can be used for both online and offline transactions. The DCEP is currently being tested in several pilot cities and regions, with plans to expand nationwide and internationally. The main goal of the DCEP is to enhance the efficiency and security of the payment system, as well as to support China’s digital economy and global influence.
- Canada: Canada has been researching CBDCs since 2013, with a focus on exploring the potential benefits and risks of issuing a digital Canadian dollar. The Bank of Canada has conducted several experiments and simulations using DLT and other technologies, in collaboration with academia, private sector, and international partners. The Bank of Canada has not yet decided whether to issue a CBDC, but it is preparing for various scenarios and contingencies.
- UK: The UK has been studying CBDCs since 2015, with an emphasis on understanding the implications and opportunities of introducing a digital pound sterling. The Bank of England has established a CBDC Taskforce, in partnership with HM Treasury and other relevant authorities, to coordinate the exploration of CBDCs in the UK. The Bank of England has also engaged with various stakeholders, such as financial institutions, technology providers, academics, and civil society groups, to solicit feedback and input on CBDCs.
CBDCs have both pros and cons from the perspective of cyber security and risk management. Some of the potential advantages are:
- Reduced reliance on intermediaries and third-party service providers, which may reduce operational risks and vulnerabilities.
- Enhanced traceability and auditability of transactions, which may improve compliance and anti-money laundering efforts.
- Increased resilience and redundancy of the payment system, which may mitigate systemic risks and disruptions.
Some of the potential disadvantages are:
- Increased exposure to cyberattacks and hacking, which may compromise the integrity and availability of the CBDC system.
- Increased complexity and interdependence of the payment system, which may create new risks and challenges for coordination and governance.
- Increased trade-offs between privacy and security, which may raise ethical and legal issues for data protection and user rights.
CBDCs are a new frontier of money that may transform the way we pay, save, invest, and interact. As more countries experiment with or adopt CBDCs, it is important to understand their implications for cyber security and risk management, as well as their broader economic and social impacts. CBDCs are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a context-specific innovation that requires careful design and implementation.