Arguably, the two biggest challenges for retail central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are whether the public sees them as useful and concerns about privacy. Despite coverage to the contrary, central banks design most current CBDCs with good intentions. However, with many countries shifting towards more divisive politics, some worry that CBDCs designs could be tweaked. These concerns relate to a central bank or regulator dictating who can use the CBDC or restricting how the money can be spent. Alternatively, there are big brother snooping concerns. A recent paper by staff at the International Monetary Fund offers a thoughtful approach to the topic.
At a high level the report shows a deep appreciation of the issues. But it also delivers a practical how-to framework.
More than once they cite a 20-year-old paper that argues privacy is inherent to the nature of money. That ‘Money is Privacy’ report was in response to the growth of ecommerce, including the use of personal data to charge higher prices to some people. The ‘Money is Privacy’ paper even suggested some might want to use an intermediary in order to anonymize payments in the absence of anonymous money. This was before the invention of Bitcoin.
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