What's New in Payments

IMF reports on digital currencies

IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva

Around 100 countries are now exploring the potential development and issuance of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), and the challenges and opportunities identified by these research projects reveal a need for “increased international information-sharing of insights learned”, according to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report... More







What's New in Payments

Sweden’s central bank to test digital currency

Riksbank develops an e-krona in a test environment — Riksbank — “During the first year of the e-krona pilot project, a technical platform will be developed with a user interface that enables, for instance, payment with the e-krona from a mobile phone, a card and a watch. The platform will also contain simulations of payment service providers, retail outlets and other parts of the Swedish payment system.”


What's New in Payments

Swedish central bank issues cashless society warning

‘Being cash-free puts us at risk of attack’: Swedes turn against cashlessness — The Guardian — “The Riksbank governor, Stefan Ingves, called for new legislation to secure public control over the payments system, arguing that being able to make and receive payments is a ‘collective good’ like defence, the courts, or public statistics… ‘It should be obvious that Sweden’s preparedness would be weakened if, in a serious crisis or war, we had not decided in advance how households and companies would pay for fuel, supplies and other necessities.’”


What's New in Payments

Turkey embraces cashless society despite Swedish concerns

Dr Soner Canko at Money20/20 Europe

A call by Sweden’s central bank to make using cash a legal right for consumers will create question marks in the minds of central banks and other players in international markets and will raise “some concerns” about a completely cashless society, the CEO of Turkish card payment system operator BKM has told attendees during a panel session at Money20/20 Europe. More