Central Bank Project

Definition ∞ A Central Bank Project involves a nation’s central monetary authority exploring or developing a digital currency, often termed a Central Bank Digital Currency. These initiatives aim to modernize financial systems, enhance payment efficiency, and maintain monetary stability in an increasingly digital economy. Such projects investigate the implications of issuing a sovereign digital asset for retail or wholesale use.
Context ∞ Global central banks are engaged in active research and pilot programs for digital currencies, prompting significant debate about their potential impact on commercial banking and financial privacy. Key discussions revolve around design choices, such as whether a CBDC should be account-based or token-based, and its role in cross-border payments. The pursuit of digital sovereignty and financial inclusion drives many of these governmental undertakings.