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What we know on Central Bank Digital Currencies (so far)

Author

Listed:
  • Shalva Mkhatrishvili

    (Head of Macroeconomics and Statistics Department, National Bank of Georgia)

  • Wim Boonstra

    (Special Economic Advisor at Rabobank, Endowed Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Abstract

A central bank digital currency (CBDC) is a topic that is only going to gain importance as a couple of nations have recently went line with a retail CBDC system, dozens of them are piloting it and there are even more who actively research the topic. In the process, many studies have already identified several important potential benefits of a CBDC as well as potential risks and costs. As is already well understood, a CBDC introduction can have a profound impact on all three monetary policy, financial stability and payment systems. This paper, trying to be a go-to starting point for those just exposed to the topic, thoroughly reviews all the benefits and risks/costs associated with a CBDC in the current literature as well as underlines key areas of this topic that need more research. In addition, we try to lay some ground for systematizing three-dimensional linkages between benefits, costs/risks and design choices by (i) discussing probable design choices needed for each item in the list of benefits and costs/risks to-be-mitigated and (ii) overviewing what other benefits and cost/risk-mitigation aims these design choices may be in conflict with.

Suggested Citation

  • Shalva Mkhatrishvili & Wim Boonstra, 2022. "What we know on Central Bank Digital Currencies (so far)," NBG Working Papers 01/2022, National Bank of Georgia.
    • Handle: RePEc:aez:wpaper:2022-01
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    File URL: https://nbg.gov.ge/fm/wp/nbg-wp-2022-01.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Central bank digital currencies; monetary policy; financial stability; payment systems;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E50 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - General
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General

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