Digital Currencies

Digital payment systems are bringing millions of unbanked and underbanked online and rapidly revolutionizing global finance. But new technology brings new challenges. From cybersecurity to sanctions evasion to money laundering. Should more governments step in and create their own Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)? What are China’s ambitions for its digital yuan? Can a transatlantic cooperative project can set new standards on digital currencies and ensure stable and transparent cross-border payments?

Central Bank Digital Currency Tracker

Our flagship Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Tracker takes you inside the rapid evolution of money all over the world. The interactive database now features 130 countries representing 98% of global GDP.

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Cryptocurrency Regulation Tracker

Cryptocurrencies may significantly alter financial structures as they exist today and transform the next generation of money and payments. Our interactive database analyzes the state of cryptocurrency regulations in 60 of the world’s largest economies.

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Raghuveera with the Turkish Heritage Organization: A discussion on cryptocurrency at the global scale

New Atlanticist Jan 25, 2024

The Fed is falling behind as other central banks leap ahead on digital currencies

By Josh Lipsky, Ananya Kumar

And the innovation gap is not just on CBDCs. FedNow, the long-awaited interbank settlement system, has taken years longer than comparable systems in Europe.
Digital Currencies Economy & Business
Raghuveera with the Turkish Heritage Organization: A discussion on cryptocurrency at the global scale

Econographics Nov 6, 2023

Central bank digital currency evolution in 2023: From investigation to preparation

By Alisha Chhangani

Explore CBDC evolution in 2023, including key developments from central banks and what is next for the digital euro.
Digital Currencies Economy & Business
Raghuveera with the Turkish Heritage Organization: A discussion on cryptocurrency at the global scale

New Atlanticist Aug 29, 2023

Russia is ramping up its CBDC. Will Putin’s ‘robot ruble’ work?

By Ananya Kumar, Charles Lichfield

Given the extent of financial sanctions following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia is trying to open alternative channels for cross-border payments.
Conflict Digital Currencies
Raghuveera with the Turkish Heritage Organization: A discussion on cryptocurrency at the global scale

New Atlanticist May 16, 2023

Not so fast: The case for a new SWIFT

By Josh Lipsky, Ananya Kumar

Imagine a network that combines both messaging and settlement to become a one-stop shop for international payments. It’s time for the US and its allies and partners to make that idea a reality.
Digital Currencies Economy & Business
Raghuveera with the Turkish Heritage Organization: A discussion on cryptocurrency at the global scale

Econographics Apr 24, 2023

Practice makes perfect: What China wants from its digital currency in 2023

By Ananya Kumar

The e-CNY network has expanded over the last year, and China’s goals have only become clearer. Domestically, the People’s Bank of China is still in test-and-learn mode, globally, China is more focused on setting defining international standards.
China Cybersecurity
Raghuveera with the Turkish Heritage Organization: A discussion on cryptocurrency at the global scale

New Atlanticist Dec 15, 2022

It’s official: The United States is developing a bank-to-bank digital currency

By Josh Lipsky, Ananya Kumar

The New York Federal Reserve’s latest project shows the United States making its presence felt in the digital-currency race.
Digital Currencies Economy & Business

At the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, the GeoEconomics Center is a translation hub with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future.

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Content

GeoTech Cues

Jun 30, 2021

Raghuveera with the Turkish Heritage Organization: A discussion on cryptocurrency at the global scale

By the GeoTech Center

In a recent discussion with with the Turkish Heritage Organization, Nikhil Raghuveera highlights the geopolitical implications of cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDC). He explains the three ways blockchain technology affects foreign policy and global alliances. First, CBDC creates the opportunity for a separate payment system from the US dollar, which provides countries like China more political power and the ability to bypass US sanctions. Second, the lack of a standard regulatory framework around digital assets domestically and internationally exposes consumers to cyberattacks and financial risks. Third, many new applications will build upon existing decentralized financial technologies, which will require new international partnerships and relations. In order to create a more equitable world, Raghuveera advocates for the inclusion of marginalized communities and a broader consideration of stakeholders when creating these new technologies and subsequent regulatory policies.

Digital Currencies Technology & Innovation

In the News

Jun 23, 2021

Moehr quoted in Raconteur about central banks and cryptocurrencies

By Ole Moehr

Read the whole article here.

Digital Currencies International Financial Institutions

Uncategorized

Jun 1, 2021

Greenwald quoted by CNBC on digital currencies in Russia

By Michael Greenwald

Read the whole article here.

Digital Currencies Financial Regulation

New Atlanticist

May 27, 2021

Banning Bitcoin is a bad idea

By JP Schnapper-Casteras

There are numerous debates raging about whether Bitcoin is good, bad, or ugly. But the sweeping suggestion to outlaw Bitcoin raises troubling questions about Americans' bedrock freedoms.

Cybersecurity Digital Currencies

In the News

May 27, 2021

CBDC tracker cited in Reuters explainer on the digital dollar

By The GeoEconomics Center

Read the full article here. Explore the CBDC tracker here.

Digital Currencies United States and Canada

EconoGraphics

Apr 28, 2021

Rollout of the digital yuan

By The GeoEconomics Center

28. That’s the number of cities where China’s about to test drive the digital yuan. Our new animated map shows the rapid expansion planned for the mainland over the next eight months.

China Digital Currencies

Fast Thinking

Apr 23, 2021

FAST THINKING: Why India’s proposed crypto ban could hurt innovation

By Nitya Biyani, Nikhil Raghuveera

As digital currency grows in popularity and blockchain technology grows in influence, governments are facing the challenge of governing the unregulated market while establishing their own regulated alternatives.

Digital Currencies India

Econographics

Apr 20, 2021

The Rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies

By GeoEconomics Center

What exactly is a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and how does the research compare globally?

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Apr 6, 2021

The digital Yuan, digital Euro, and the Diem: Key issues for public debate

By Hung Tran

As momentum grows for the development of CBDCs many policy questions remain unanswered. For insights into how CBDCs may develop, it will be important to watch where the current leaders, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and the European Central Bank (ECB), converge and diverge.

China Digital Currencies

Inflection Points

Feb 28, 2021

Why the US can’t afford to fall behind in the global digital currency race

By Frederick Kempe

The Federal Reserve worries about being too hasty in introducing a digital dollar, given the stakes as the world’s reserve currency. The greater geopolitical danger, however, is how quickly the Fed is falling behind.

China Digital Currencies
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Experts

Fellow

Chris Brummer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Staff

Alisha Chhangani

Associate Director

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Digital Policy

Millennium fellow

Julián Colombo 

Senior Director for South America, Bitso

Millennium Leadership Program

Digital Currencies Latin America

Staff

Kimberly Donovan

Director, Economic Statecraft Initiative

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Fellow

Giulia Fanti

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies

Fellow

Christy Goldsmith Romero

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economy & Business
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