We are pleased to announce the latest post on the SUARA SEACEN Blog by Vacharakoon Jivakanont, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, FSSP.
Retail CBDC: Should Central Banks Get on Board?
As central banks around the world explore retail Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), this blog dives into the heart of the debate: is this evolution in retail payments truly necessary, or merely a shiny new version of what already works? By examining the rationale behind retail CBDCs and drawing on real-world cases—from the world’s first fully implemented retail CBDC in Bahamas to Nigeria, China, Sweden, and Thailand—it uncovers the promises, pitfalls, and persistent challenges these initiatives face. With adoption hurdles and overlapping functions with existing systems, the question isn’t just whether to board the retail CBDC streetcar—but whether it’s heading anywhere worth going.
Click here to read.
