October 29, 2024
By Our Correspondent
Digital currency is unlikely to replace cash in the United Kingdom, as the Bank of England will continue to issue banknotes and coins “for as long as there is demand,” stated Governor Andrew Bailey.
During a discussion at the Group of Thirty’s 39th Annual International Banking Seminar in Washington, Bailey remarked, “The evidence indicates that there is a desire for it, so we will maintain its supply.” His comments addressed growing concerns circulating online that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) might replace cash. Advocates for privacy have expressed worries that CBDCs could eliminate transaction anonymity, grant governments increased surveillance capabilities, and exclude individuals from the financial system.
The Bank of England has initiated work on a digital currency known as Britcoin, although a decision on its launch has not yet been made. In Washington, Bailey suggested that while the Bank is cautious about introducing a retail CBDC that would operate like cash for everyday consumers, he supports the idea of a wholesale CBDC intended for use by banks.
Regarding the potential for a retail CBDC, he noted that it is “more challenging to identify a central role for central bank money.” Nevertheless, he argued for a “special role” for “central bank money in wholesale high-value transactions and in the settlement of payment systems.”
The Bank of England is exploring the development of a retail CBDC not with the intention of immediate deployment, but to foster innovation within the private sector and to encourage commercial banks to modernize their digital payment systems.
Bailey emphasized the necessity for advancements in digital payment systems, particularly in the realm of cross-border transactions, where modernization efforts have been sluggish. He stated, “There is no valid reason to maintain exclusivity in this area.” He also pointed out that banks have limited motivation to expedite cross-border payments, which could potentially “stifle innovation.”
