Could China-led wholesale CBDC fuel de-dollarization?

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Could China-led wholesale CBDC fuel de-dollarization?

MBridge, China’s cross-border digital currency initiative, has entered the minimum viable product stage. It is the world’s most advanced cross-border CBDC and stands on the cusp of playing a pivotal role in the de-dollarization process.

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Illustration: iStock

China's e-CNY, piloted in 2019, has positioned the country as a leader in central bank digital currencies (CBDC). Growth has been impressive, especially following the launch of its mobile app in 2022. By June 2023, the digital yuan had been used for 950 million transactions, amounting to some Rmb1.8 trillion ($253 billion).

However, domestic penetration remains very low, with e-CNY representing a mere 0.16% of cash in circulation, according to PwC. WeChat Pay and Alibaba's Alipay dominate the e-payment space, together accounting for 954 million users and more than 95% of the mobile wallet market in China.

There may be little incentive for users to switch to e-CNY, unless, of course, they find themselves in a blackout and need to pay for an emergency candle, as digital currency can be used offline.

But don't write off the digital yuan just yet. When it comes to cross-border transactions, it could be a game-changer.

Political tensions

Last week, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced that mBridge, a China-led multi-CBDC platform designed for cross-border transactions, has entered the minimum viable product stage.

The


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