Brazil is making strides in developing its central bank digital currency (CBDC), and the design of its architecture. Roberto Campos Neto, president of the Central Bank of Brazil, recently detailed the advances that the institution has made in building the foundation for the operation of the proposed digital real currency.

Japan is all set to launch a pilot program In April this year to test its digital currency Yen, announced the Bank Of Japan on Friday. The goal of this initiative is to explore the potential benefits and challenges of a digital yen, which could lead to its eventual adoption as a legitimate currency in Japan.

Last month Brazilian president Inácio Lula da Silva and his Argentine counterpart, Alberto Fernandez, reignited the idea of a common currency as a means towards an economically independent future.

LBank’s CMO has commented on Laos’ efforts to introduce a central bank digital currency (CBDC). According to Kaia Wang, the pilot project is a net positive that could engender tangible benefits for citizens of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Southeast Asia.

The U.K. Tax Reform Council has launched a campaign against the Bank of England's plan to introduce a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The non-profit organization warns that such a move could seriously harm individual privacy and lead to intrusive changes to the taxation system.

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that it is too early to assess the spillover effects of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) during the question hour of the parliament as per a report by IANS.

The UAE is looking to boost its cross-border payments while also enhancing its domestic financial infrastructure. This comes after the Central Bank of the UAE announced the issue of CBDC, short for central bank digital currency. The issuance of CBDC comes as a part of the financial infrastructure transformation program.

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) is planning to launch a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for cross-border and domestic use as part of the first of its newly-launched financial infrastructure transformation (FIT) program. 

JPMorgan Chase and consultants Oliver Wyman took a look at blockchain technology in commercial banking in a report released Feb. 9. Stablecoin and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have dominated in this sphere so far, but the authors pointed out the advantages offered by deposit coins for stability and reliability.

Leading blockchain company Ripple has played significant roles in helping central banks in different parts of the world, including Bhutan. Following its considerable efforts towards the development of CBDC, Ripple was recently mentioned in the Bank of England (BoE) consultation paper on the digital pound, U.K.’s digital currency.