Key Takeaways:
- The bank of Spain unveiled plans to start investigating wholesale central bank digital currencies through an experimental procedure (CBDC)
- The proposed plan period is set to begin early the following year.
The central bank of Spain acknowledged testing wholesale CBDCs to gauge the scope of the requirements and wants of the digital age. BDE made an announcement on December 5 that it would launch an experimental program to determine the country’s adoption of wholesale CBDCs.
The Bank of Spain has established a deadline of January 31 for applications to its wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) undertaking, which will launch on Monday. Businesses willing to participate in making a proposal have until the same stipulated time frame that is January 31, 2023.
Spain has been doing well lately in the cryptocurrency space; according to a recent survey by Spain’s regulatory body, the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), 6.8% of the country’s adult population has invested in cryptocurrencies. 34% of Spanish cryptocurrency investors are women, compared to 66% men.
In a public announcement, the bank declares that the objective of this new programme is to boost the use of CBDCs in wholesale transactions. The economic institute will concentrate on the three key facets of the initiative.
To simulate the flow of money, test the liquidation of financial assets, and then weigh the advantages and disadvantages of integrating a wholesale CBDC into the processes and infrastructure already in place.
Who has access determines whether CBDC is sold wholesale or retail. In contrast to a retail or general-purpose CBDC that is accessible to use by the general populace, a wholesale CBDC is basically a virtual currency, especially when used by banks to hold reserves with a central bank.
The model is unique to the BDE, and it asserts that it has nothing to do with the ongoing research into the usefulness of a digital euro that is being done in the European Union.
Additionally, those who are seeking to participate in the initiative must meet the minimal standards established by the bank and reveal the “economic means” they are prepared to dedicate to the endeavour.
The experiment of CBDCs can probably decide how much they can add value to “adapting to the needs and demands of an increasingly digital society,” the BDE claimed in its explanation for launching the plan.
