TBC
The retail payment ecosystem is undergoing rapid and far-reaching transformation driven by digitalisation, changing consumer expectations, and the rising influence of fintech and big tech firms. Digital wallets, mobile payments, and QR code–based systems have become embedded in daily life, offering faster, more convenient, and increasingly interoperable ways to transact. At the same time, the exploration of Retail Central Bank Digital Currencies (rCBDCs) is reshaping conversations about the future of money, financial inclusion, cross-border efficiency, and payment system resilience. Together, these developments are setting the stage for a new era in how individuals, businesses, and governments engage with digital payments.
However, the rapid pace of innovation brings significant policy, regulatory, and operational challenges. Central banks must navigate issues such as interoperability across systems and jurisdictions, ensuring robust cybersecurity, promoting fair competition, safeguarding consumer protection, and addressing potential impacts of rCBDCs on financial intermediation and monetary policy transmission. As retail payment systems continue to evolve, central banks play a crucial role in guiding innovation to ensure safety, stability, and public trust. This course explores these opportunities and challenges, providing insights into global and regional trends and examining how central banks can shape a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready retail payments ecosystem.
This course aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of emerging retail payment innovations. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Identify key trends in digital wallets, mobile payments, QR code–based systems, and retail CBDCs
Understand the benefits, risks, and implications of new retail payment technologies
Examine central bank roles and policy considerations, including oversight and consumer protection
Explore design considerations and emerging experiences related to retail CBDCs
Assess how shifting consumer behaviors influence retail payment adoption
Learn from SEACEN member jurisdictions’ initiatives in modernising retail payment systems
The participants are expected to be working in the payments division and should have more than 3 years of experience in the related areas. With the consent of the central banks in their jurisdictions, participants from stand-alone authorities are also welcome.
The faculty will be drawn from SEACEN-member Central Banks, external experts and SEACEN faculty.
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