Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) – Barriers to Its Introduction

Abstract

Theoretical background: The beginning of the third decade of the 21st century brought a dynamic development of new technologies, intensifying the ongoing process of digitalization of the global economy. Among these changes, one of the undoubtedly noticeable areas that are developed both on theoretical and practical grounds is the central bank digital currency (CBDC). It is a new – different from cash – currency issued by the monetary authorities, considered as a response to the development of private virtual currencies, which is aimed at the same time to improve the circulation of money. An increasing number of central banks are considering issuing their own CBDC. According to the BIS studies, in 2021 nine out of ten central banks actively research implementation of a digital currency. This number is constantly growing. More and more monetary authorities are at an advanced stage of CBDC work, 26% of central banks already running pilot tests (compared to only 8% in 2018).

Purpose of the article: The main aim of the article is to identify barriers to the central bank digital currency introduction as well the case study analysis of the current involvement of selected central banks in the process of its implementation.

Research methods: The main research method used in the conducted empirical research is the case study analysis of selected central banks that have undertaken works on the CBDC implementation. The research verifies the main hypothesis that despite growing involvement of central banks in the work for the issue of CBDC, its barriers and limitations are large enough to inhibit practical implementation.

Main findings: The results indicated that such barriers as limited validity period, lack of anonymity and full control of a central bank over its use may significantly limit further monetary authorities’ work on its implementation.