Central Bank Digital Currency - CBDC has quickly been given the green light by many governments and has become a hot topic that attracted the attention of many experts. These cryptocurrencies, issued and regulated by central banks, have the potential to change the way we conduct financial transactions and manage monetary policy. In this article, we will learn what CBDC is, and the benefits and challenges that it brings.

About CBDC

Central Bank Digital Currency - CBDC, as the name suggests, is a digital form of a country's national currency issued and backed by a central bank. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are centralized and operate on blockchain technology, CBDCs are centralized and typically operate on a ledger held and controlled by banks. CBDCs, similar to traditional fiat currencies, are designed to function as fiat currencies and can be used to make payments or execute other financial transactions. CBDCs can be designed as account-based or token-based balances, depending on the design of the central bank issuing them.

Typically, there are two main types of CBDC:

• CBDC Retail: This cryptocurrency is publicly available to the public and can be used for everyday transactions, similar to regular cash. CBDC retail is designed as a complementary option to existing forms of currency, providing convenience and safety for users in digital payments.
• CBDC Wholesale: CBDC Wholesale is designed for transactions between banks and payment processes in the financial system. They are mainly used by financial institutions and central banks to facilitate large-scale money transfers and settlement of securities.

CBDC’s benefits

CBDC is becoming popular and has been noticed by many central banks around the world, of which some large central banks have successfully developed it and started piloting it, for example Sberbank of the Russian Federation. The reason this currency was given the "green light" among central banks simultaneously and so quickly is thanks to the many practical benefits it brings, along with the ability to solve some difficult problems that many banks have previously stumbled on. The biggest benefits that Central Bank Digital Currencies bring include:

• Financial Accessibility: CBDCs have the potential to increase financial inclusion by providing digital financial services to individuals and businesses that may not have had access to them before.
• Efficiency and Security: Cryptocurrencies can optimize the payment process, minimizing the need for physical cash and the associated costs. Additionally, the use of blockchain technology can enhance security and transparency in transactions.
• Easier implementation of monetary policy: CBDCs provide central banks with more direct and precise control over money supply and interest rates, helping them implement monetary policy more effectively.
• Fight illegal activities: The ability to trace CBDC transactions can help combat money laundering, tax evasion, and other forms of financial crime more effectively.

Challenges and concerns

• Privacy concerns: The widespread use of CBDCs raises significant privacy issues, as transactions can be tracked and monitored more easily than with cash.
• Technological infrastructure: Implementing CBDC requires a strong and secure technological infrastructure, which can cause difficulties for some countries that do not have a good enough scientific and technological foundation.
• Legal framework: Clear and effective legal frameworks need to be established to govern the issuance, distribution and use of CBDC.
• Cross-border interoperability: Extensive coordination and international agreements will be important to address international interoperability issues, and to ensure interoperability between different CBDC systems.

The emergence of CBDC is an exciting development in the world of cryptocurrency, with the potential to change the global financial landscape. As central banks continue to explore the possibility of establishing their own CBDCs, monitoring the potential impact on cryptocurrency markets and the overall financial ecosystem will become critical.

Ultimately, successful integration between CBDCs and cryptocurrencies could pave the way for a more efficient, secure, and widespread financial system, benefiting both individuals and businesses.