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CBDCs in practice: What we’ve learned from the early movers

The Payments Association

James Hurren explores what early CBDC deployments across Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe reveal about usage, adoption, and the future of cross-border digital money. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have rapidly evolved from theoretical concepts into live pilots and national deployments.

CBDC 88
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Universal Digital Payments Network (UDPN) and FORUS Digital Announce Strategic Cooperation to Advance Financial Innovation in Africa

Fintech Finance

Over 350 million adults in Africa live on a cash-only basis ( [link] ), without access to financial accounts, credit cards, or lending facilities. Digital currency systems could prove to be key in improving financial inclusion and opening up new opportunities to large underbanked communities in many African countries.

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Digital Rupiah Inches Closer with Successful Completion of PoC

Fintech News

Such innovations streamlined operations and paved the way for exploring sophisticated financial instruments like Delivery Versus Payment (DvP) mechanisms. Collaborative efforts align with the Indonesia Payment System Blueprint 2030, which prioritises innovation, financial inclusion, and economic sustainability.

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SC Ventures and G+D Complete Pilot on Different Types of CBDC Systems

Fintech News

SC Ventures, the innovation, fintech investment, and ventures arm of Standard Chartered, and Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) successfully completed a proof-of-concept (PoC) on the Universal Digital Payments Network (UDPN). Meanwhile, the the direct model is where central banks manage wallets and settlements within a centralised CBDC system.

CBDC 113
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Bank of Canada Puts CBDC Development on Ice: Is This Indicative of Global CBDC Demise?

The Fintech Times

While 134 countries and currency unions, representing 98 per cent of global GDP, are currently exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC), the Bank of Canada has revealed it is officially putting efforts to introduce a digital version of the Canadian dollar on pause. Could a CBDC still be in Canada’s future?

CBDC 75
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Fintech in the Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan & Georgia

The Fintech Times

Today, fintech and digital innovations are becoming key drivers in their continued growth, each nation adopting its own approach to integrate these technologies into their economic sectors. Despite these advancements, challenges such as financial inclusion remain.

FinTech 69
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Exploring Digital Currencies Across the Middle East and Africa in 2024

The Fintech Times

Cryptocurrencies, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoins remain prominent and continue to see innovation worldwide; particularly in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). By leveraging cryptocurrencies, these individuals gain access to financial tools and services previously unavailable to them.