In a lawsuit filed by a Nigerian human rights activist, the country’s central bank is accused of failing to stop the dollarization of the economy. According to the activist, the central bank’s unwillingness to stop economic agents from demanding U.S. dollars for domestic transactions has “resulted in the constant devaluation, depreciation and unending plunge of […]
South African Official: Common Currency Requires Central Bank, Threatens Monetary Policy Independence
South Africa’s minister of finance has explained why he believes that no country is ready for a common currency, including a unified BRICS currency. “Setting up a common currency presupposes setting up a central bank, and that presupposes losing independence on monetary policies, and I don’t think any country is ready for that,†he emphasized. […]
Central Bank of Brazil Rebrands CBDC to ‘Drex,’ Launch Expected by 2024
The Central Bank of Brazil has issued a press release revealing details about “drex,” the Brazilian central bank digital currency (CBDC) formerly known as the digital real. The bank explained the need for a rebranding and detailed how it might revolutionize transactions with digital contracts for real estate and vehicles. Drex is expected to be […]
Zimbabwe Central Bank Says Gold-Backed Tokens Set to Be Used for ‘Transactional Purposes’
The Zimbabwean central bank recently said it is close to rolling out gold-backed digital tokens “for transactional purposes.” According to the bank’s governor, the gold-backed digital tokens have already proven to be an effective monetary policy instrument. Central bank governor John Mangudya also said the results of a consumer survey had shown that residents had […]
Nigerian Currency Plunges to New Low, Central Bank Says the Naira Is Undervalued
The Nigerian currency continued its slide versus the greenback when it fell to a new all-time low of NGN950 per dollar. Folashodun Shonubi, the acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, insists that the naira is currently undervalued. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said Nigeria’s “loose” fiscal and monetary policies are to blame […]
Central Banks Resumed Gold Purchases in June
Central banks ramped up gold purchases in June, according to statistics from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In this period, central banks added 55 tonnes of gold to their reserves after three months of net selling, with China purchasing the most gold (21 tonnes). Central Banks Back to Purchasing Gold in June The world’s central […]
Bolivian Central Bank Using Chinese Yuan for International Settlements
Economy Minister Marcelo Montenegro acknowledged that the Bolivian Central Bank is harnessing the Chinese yuan in its commercial settlements. The switch to using the Chinese currency has to do with the dollar scarcity that the country is facing, having to approve a law to sell part of its gold reserves for U.S. dollars. Bolivian Central […]
Nigerian Central Bank Says Amended CBDC Model to Ensure Increased Volumes and Wallet Activity
The Nigerian central bank has said it is amending the model of its central bank digital currency and is hopeful that such an exercise will result in “an increase in the volume and activity of wallet holders.” According to the acting governor, the central bank is also working towards making the forex market more “efficient […]
Former Central Banker Discusses How Chinese Yuan Could Become on Par With US Dollar
A former central banker has explained that three conditions must be met for the Chinese yuan to become a currency on par with the U.S. dollar and the euro. Noting that the yuan is already the third-largest international currency after the USD and the euro, he emphasized that the Chinese currency’s market share and influence […]
China’s Central Bank: Digital Yuan Transactions Reach $250 Billion
China’s central bank governor has revealed that transactions using the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) reached 1.8 trillion yuan ($ 250 billion) at the end of June. In addition, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) official stated that digital yuan in circulation amounted to 16.5 billion yuan. Latest Digital Yuan Stats People’s Bank …
Central Bank of Russia Discusses Digital Ruble Integration With Other Countries
The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) is already discussing the integration of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, with other countries’ payment systems. Elvira Nabiullina, Governor of the CBR, declared the bank was exploring different possibilities of integration with other CBDC systems to complete cross-border payments and settlements. Central Bank of Russia […]
Nigerian Currency Plunges to All-Time Low Versus Dollar, Central Bank Revokes Licenses of 2,700 Currency Exchanges
The exchange rate of the Nigerian currency versus the greenback recently plunged to an all-time low of NGN860:USD1. The naira’s depreciation has been attributed to shortages of foreign exchange on the official market and the rising demand for forex. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has revoked the licenses of nearly 2,700 bureaux […]
Central Bank of Argentina Reduces Dollar and Yuan Disbursement to Importers
Importers are accusing the Central Bank of Argentina of stalling on the delivery of dollar-based payments under the pretext of high freight costs. According to importers, the Argentine government considers freight costs exceeding 15% of the value of the merchandise imported as an inconsistency. Central Bank of Argentina Delays Dollar Disbursements to Importers The government […]
Egyptian and Nigerian Central Banks Sign Agreement to Deepen Cross-Border Regulation
The central banks of Egypt and Nigeria have signed a fintech agreement to deepen the two institutions’ “cross-border regulatory collaboration” and information sharing. The London Institute of Banking & Finance, which also signed an MOU, will offer training programs, workshops, and courses to leaders in the Egyptian fintech sector. MOU Agreement to Help Boost Innovation […]
Latam Insights — Argentina’s Reserves Bleed, Central Bank of Brazil Would Be Able to Manipulate Digital Real in CBDC Pilot
Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue, the Argentine central bank sheds yuan for dollars as its reserves bleed, the Central Bank of Brazil would be able to manipulate balances and block digital real accounts, and the first bitcoin futures […]