Ledger Insights
The
PBOC, China’s central bank started its digital currency project in 2014. The
PBOC accelerated its development in 2019 after Facebook unveiled its own
cryptocurrency, the Libra.
In
April 2020, PBOC launched the first trials of the digital RMB in four Chinese
cities – Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu and the Xiong’an, New Area near Beijing.
Why
the push? According to Jennifer Zhou Scott from Radian Partners, there are two
reasons:
(i)
poverty
alleviation – digital currency could streamline aid to 5.5 million people
living in extreme poverty in China; and
(ii)
lessen
China’s dependence on the U.S. dollar
Other
reasons cited include to combat money laundering, gambling, and terrorism
financing.
China
is certainly seeking to augment the role of the Yuan with it being part of
IMF’s special drawing rights and the creation of the Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank. And China is light years ahead of the U.S. in digital
currency. Consumers in China are familiar with purchases without cash – WeChat
and Alipay. So, moving to a whole new level is not an unfamiliar territory.
The
digital Yuan is expected to function more like its paper cousin than a
cryptocurrency. Its value is tied to the Yuan and PBOC will monitor every
transaction. So, there is no anonymity as in Bitcoin.
Princeton
University historian, Harold James, believes the new digital currency could
come to rival the dollar as an international means of payment. Others are more
sceptical. Erik Nelson of Wells Fargo is of the view that if China really wants
to establish the Yuan as the main reserve currency it has to take more steps on
the governance front and open up its markets to foreign investors. Digitalization,
per se, is not going to do it.
Nevertheless,
digital currencies have the potential to make transactions cheaper, easier and
efficient. If it catches on, it may trigger an upheaval in the global financial
system – regardless if it is sponsored by Facebook or the PBOC.
Reference:
1.
2 reasons China may be ramping up its digital currency project, Vefa Chan,
Fortune, June 26,2020
2.
China to Test Digital Currency, Scott Horsley, NPR, Jan 13, 2020
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