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Crypto Assets and CBDCs in Latin America and the Caribbean: Opportunities and Risks

Author

Listed:
  • Maximiliano Appendino
  • Olga Bespalova
  • Ms. Rina Bhattacharya
  • Jean François Clevy
  • Ms. Nan Geng
  • Mr. Takuji Komatsuzaki
  • Justin Lesniak
  • Weicheng Lian
  • Ms. Sandra Marcelino
  • Mr. Mauricio Villafuerte
  • Mr. Yorbol Yakhshilikov

Abstract

After providing a general overview of the nature, pros, and cons of crypto assets and CBDCs, this paper focuses on documenting their recent experience in LAC. The region records a high interest in unbacked crypto assets and stablecoins and its authorities’ policy responses have varied substantially, ranging from the introduction of Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador to their prohibition in many other countries worried about their impact on financial stability, currency/asset substitution, tax evasion, corruption, and money laundering. This paper also describes briefly the results of a survey on CBDCs’ introduction plans and crypto assets regulation. Finally, this paper presents some general lessons and policy recommendations for the region on the regulation of cypto assets, digital currencies and cross-border payments, and on the potential introduction of CBDCs.

Suggested Citation

  • Maximiliano Appendino & Olga Bespalova & Ms. Rina Bhattacharya & Jean François Clevy & Ms. Nan Geng & Mr. Takuji Komatsuzaki & Justin Lesniak & Weicheng Lian & Ms. Sandra Marcelino & Mr. Mauricio Vill, 2023. "Crypto Assets and CBDCs in Latin America and the Caribbean: Opportunities and Risks," IMF Working Papers 2023/037, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2023/037
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    JEL classification:

    • E00 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - General
    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E51 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Money Supply; Credit; Money Multipliers
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O54 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Latin America; Caribbean

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