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A Simple Model of a Central Bank Digital Currency

Author

Listed:
  • Bineet Mishra
  • Eswar S. Prasad

Abstract

We develop a general equilibrium model that highlights the trade-offs between physical and digital forms of retail central bank money. The key differences between cash and central bank digital currency (CBDC) include transaction efficiency, possibilities for tax evasion, and, potentially, nominal rates of return. We establish conditions under which cash and CBDC can co-exist and show how government policies can influence relative holdings of cash, CBDC, and other assets. We illustrate how a CBDC can facilitate negative nominal interest rates and helicopter drops, and also how a CBDC can be structured to prevent capital flight from other assets.

Suggested Citation

  • Bineet Mishra & Eswar S. Prasad, 2023. "A Simple Model of a Central Bank Digital Currency," NBER Working Papers 31198, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31198
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    Cited by:

    1. Branch Sharon & Ward Lynsey & Wright Allan, 2023. "The Evolution of SandDollar," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Sciendo, vol. 58(4), pages 178-184, July.
    2. Georgarakos, Dimitris & Kenny, Geoff & Laeven, Luc & Meyer, Justus, 2025. "Consumer attitudes towards a central bank digital currency," Working Paper Series 3035, European Central Bank.
    3. Giuseppe Gurrado & Donato Masciandaro, 2025. "Stablecoins vs CBDCs: the Digital Money Race in the Scientific and Social Networks," BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers 25254, BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    4. Lim, King Yoong & Liu, Chunping & Zhang, Shuonan, 2024. "Optimal central banking policies: Envisioning the post-digital yuan economy with loan prime rate-setting," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    5. Xiao, Zumian & Niu, Yiran & Xiang, Lijin & Cui, Yingshuo, 2024. "Central bank digital currency and corporate debt financing costs: Empirical evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PB).
    6. Zhang, Runze & Li, Zhijun & Xiao, Chunqu & You, Jiwang, 2023. "New engines of economic growth: How digital currencies lead the way to growth in the era of digital economy," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1597-1617.
    7. Wu, Jiaqi & Liu, Xin & Zhang, Chenghu, 2024. "Unveiling the influencing mechanism underlying users’ adoption and recommend intentions of central bank digital currency: A behavioral reasoning theory perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    8. Bai, HaiChen & Cong, Lin William & Luo, Mei & Xie, Ping, 2025. "Adoption of central bank digital currencies: Initial evidence from China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    9. Kjell Hausken & Guizhou Wang, 2025. "A Game-Theoretic Analysis of the Coexistence and Competition Between Hard and Fiat Money," Economies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-42, March.
    10. Son, Jaemin & Ryu, Doojin & Webb, Robert I., 2023. "Central bank digital currency: Payment choices and commercial bank profitability," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    11. Qifeng Tang & Yain-Whar Si, 2025. "Central Bank Digital Currencies: A Survey," Papers 2507.08880, arXiv.org.
    12. Magin, Jana Anjali & Neyer, Ulrike & Stempel, Daniel, 2025. "Cash or Cache? Distributional and business cycle implications of CBDC holding limits," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E4 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates
    • E5 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit
    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination

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