Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs that the United States is far from adopting or even recommending the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), emphasizing a significant distance from such a possibility. He assured that any potential CBDC would not be designed for […]
Javier Milei, the libertarian president of Argentina, is seeking to stop the issuance of money by the country’s central bank. Milei stated he would send a bill to Congress to penalize issuing money with jail time, explaining that central bank officials approving these movements would be incarcerated. Argentine President Javier Milei Aims to Establish Seigniorage […]
In the first month of 2024, Nigeria’s headline inflation rose from nearly one percent to 29.9%. However, on a year-on-year basis, the January 2024 headline inflation rate was 8.08 percentage points higher than the January 2023 rate. Many commentators identify foreign exchange shortages as the root cause of the naira’s poor performance against major currencies. […]
The New Zealand Central Bank governor, Adrian Orr, recently branded stablecoins “the biggest misnomers” and “oxymorons.” Orr also rejected the notion that cryptocurrencies could serve as a replacement or supplement to central bank-issued money. Stablecoins Not a Viable Substitute for Money Despite their rise as an alternative to fiat currency in some regions, stablecoins are […]
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has provided an update to Congress members regarding the Fed’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) work. “If we’re going to have a CBDC, Congress needs to authorize it,” he stressed. Moreover, the Fed chair reportedly said that a framework for stablecoins is needed. Fed Chair Powell on US CBDC and […]
The Nigerian central bank remains committed to building confidence in the economy but that hinges on the implementation of “bold reforms” and residents’ help in easing pressure on the naira. However, critics have faulted the central bank’s policies including the devaluation of the local currency in 2023 for worsening the plight of millions. Ordinary Nigerians […]
The Central Bank of Nigeria announced on Jan. 31 that it had removed caps on naira payout rates that international money transfer operators are allowed to quote. The central bank said the policy change is an effort aimed at further liberalizing the foreign exchange market. The naira’s Feb.1 gain versus major currencies has been attributed […]
The number of banks participating in Russia’s central bank digital currency pilot has increased to 30. Seventeen banks have signed an agreement with the Bank of Russia to participate in the digital ruble program. They will join 13 other banks, about 600 citizens, and 30 trading and service companies that are already testing Russia’s central […]
The Russian Central Bank is discussing the possible use of central bank digital currencies as a payment method in foreign trade, according to Elvira Nabiullina, the bank’s governor. Nabiullina stated that while Russia is opposed to the use of crypto payments in domestic transactions, the country is open to the idea of using cryptocurrencies in […]
U.S. presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) and Donald Trump have independently promised the American people to stop the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the U.S. if elected President. “I will protect Americans from government tyranny,” Trump said, adding that a CBDC “would be a dangerous threat to freedom.” […]
The Nigerian currency reportedly plunged to a new low versus the U.S. dollar on the official market on Jan.25. Central Bank governor Olayemi Cardoso has said the naira is currently “undervalued” and that efforts are underway to rectify this. Official and Parallel Market Exchange Rates Nearly Converge The beleaguered Nigerian currency has plunged to …
Congressman Tom Emmer has offered to help former U.S. President Donald Trump fight the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the U.S. “I agree with President Trump; CBDCs pose a serious threat to Americans’ right to financial privacy. I look forward to working with him as we continue the fight against the […]
The Nigerian stablecoin consortium has said it will not be launching a stablecoin in late February as previously advised. Instead, the consortium, which is comprised of banks and fintech startups, said it plans to launch the stablecoin only after it gets the green light from the central bank. Nigerian Stablecoin Project in False Start The […]
Krishan Gopaul, senior analyst of the World Gold Council, revealed that central banks kept adding gold to their reserves during November. According to public records and reports from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), central banks added 44t of gold to their coffers, with the Central Bank of Turkey leading the charge by purchasing 25 tonnes. […]
Nigerian fintech lawyer Senator Ihenyen said the new central bank guidelines which bar the withdrawal of cash from accounts operated by virtual asset service providers (VASPs) seem “reasonable and understandable.” The lawyer however believes an “outright” prohibition of cash withdrawals from VASPs operated accounts may “be in conflict with the CBN’s own cashless policy.” ‘Fraudulent […]