Despite the fact that the central bank digital currency (CBDC) industry has been gaining traction in Europe, many still have questions about the actual value and the advantages of this type of payment. In this article, we discuss some of the main features of a CBDC, and what benefits it can offer.

Legal tender status of a CBDC

Among other benefits, a central bank digital currency Europe (CBDC) could help reduce the costs of cross-border payments, e-commerce, and monetary policy. Retail CBDCs would be offered by commercial banks and would be similar to any bank account. They could be used to store cash, make small offline transactions, and make payments. They would need to be accepted by retailers, though.

Although they would be cheaper and faster than cash, CBDCs would be limited in their ability to compete with card payments. They could also be limited by their security, privacy, and anonymity.

Some scholars argue that CBDCs have the potential to deliver a wealth of benefits to consumers and the economy. However, they may also be expensive to implement and are unlikely to deliver the same benefits that today’s payment solutions do.

Privacy-preserving

Several European countries are investigating the possibility of a central bank digital currency. They believe it could offer a way to promote privacy and improve financial efficiency. But it also comes with its own set of practical challenges.

One of the most important challenges is determining how much of a transaction can be made anonymous. While cash is known to provide anonymity in exchange, it does not offer the security and traceability that digital cash would. That’s why the National Digital Council has advocated a “margin of anonymity” for transactions. The margin would prevent the exploitation of personal data by large digital services. It would also prevent the risk of tracing individuals.

The European Central Bank has also held public consultations on the possibility of issuing a digital euro. During that consultation, respondents identified privacy as the most important characteristic of a digital euro.

Disruption of traditional banking

Currently, about 90 percent of central banks worldwide are actively pursuing the development of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). While many of these projects are in the early stages of technical design, a growing number of them have already begun operations. The impact of this type of digital currency could be significant. It could reduce the traditional banking system’s costs and risks and create new financing opportunities for poor countries.

Despite these benefits, there are risks associated with the creation of CBDCs. One is the potential for financial instability and systemic risk. Another is the potential for misuse by governments.

The emergence of digital currencies and the rise of decentralized technologies are powerful disruptive forces in the banking industry. These innovations can reduce transaction costs, streamline asset settlements, and streamline securities issuance.

Competitive with established payment options

Having a central bank to come up with the next best thing to do for yourself is a tall order. As such, it is no surprise that the European Union is a hive of high-minded technophiles. Thankfully, the ECB is not the only one attempting to keep Europe on the right track.

While a central bank digital currency may not be in the works, for the time being, it is not a lock to be a permanent fixture on the world stage. The aforementioned effervescence should be a thing of the past in favor of a more business-like approach to fostering cross-border competition. In this context, a Central Bank Digital Currency may be the perfect vehicle for a trustworthy cross-border payments platform. With the movement mentioned, one should be able to sleep well at night.