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Rise of the central bank digital currencies: drivers, approaches and technologies

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Listed:
  • Auer, Raphael
  • Frost, Jon
  • Cornelli, Giulio

Abstract

Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are receiving more attention than ever before. Yet the motivations for issuance vary across countries, as do the policy approaches and technical designs. We investigate the economic and institutional drivers of CBDC development and take stock of design efforts. We set out a comprehensive database of technical approaches and policy stances on issuance, relying on central bank speeches and technical reports. Most projects are found in digitised economies with a high capacity for innovation. Work on retail CBDCs is more advanced where the informal economy is larger. We next take stock of the technical design options. More and more central banks are considering retail CBDC architectures in which the CBDC is a direct cash-like claim on the central bank, but where the private sector handles all customer-facing activity. We conclude with an in-depth description of three distinct CBDC approaches by the central banks of China, Sweden and Canada.

Suggested Citation

  • Auer, Raphael & Frost, Jon & Cornelli, Giulio, 2020. "Rise of the central bank digital currencies: drivers, approaches and technologies," CEPR Discussion Papers 15363, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:15363
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cbdc; Central bank digital currency; Payments; International payments; Central banks; Monetary policy; Technology; Digital currency; Distributed ledger technology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • E51 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Money Supply; Credit; Money Multipliers
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange

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