Just-In: Banking Heavyweights Start 12-Week Digital Dollar Pilot

The pilot by Citi, HSBC, BNY Mellon, Wells Fargo, Mastercard & New York Fed will test how banks can leverage the digital dollar to speed up payments.
By Pratik Bhuyan

A number of significant banks have started a pilot study with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to see if it is feasible to use tokens that represent digital dollars to enhance the settlement of central bank funds across institutions.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Noteworthy Institutions To Take Part

The New York Fed revealed on Tuesday that banks like Citi (C), HSBC (HSBC), BNY Mellon (BK), and Wells Fargo (WFC) are among those participating, along with payments juggernaut Mastercard (MA).

The 12-week proof-of-concept pilot will examine the usage of the Regulated Liability Network (RLN), an open-source technology that enables banks to issue tokens that can be settled on a distributed ledger using simulated central bank funds.

Advertisement
Advertisement

One Of A Kind Proof-of-Concept

The project will be carried out in a test environment, sort of creating a sandbox surrounding it, using only simulated data.

While the majority of central banks are investigating the creation of wholesale central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), or forms of digital money for exchange among financial institutions, many are also involved in pilots around wholesale CBDCs, or fiat money in token form, to enhance current clearing and settlement procedures.

While some may assume that CBDCs are a new concept, they have in fact been around for three decades. In 1993, the Bank of Finland launched the Avant smart card, an electronic form of cash. Although the system was eventually dropped in the early 2000s, it can be considered the world’s first CBDC.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Political Interest In Crypto

In mid-September, the U.S. Treasury Department suggested looking into the possibility of creating a digital dollar.

Earlier this month, Michelle Neal, head of the New York Fed’s market group, said it sees promise in using a central bank digital dollar to speed up settlement time in currency markets.

The Biden administration is certain that the digital dollar will help the U.S. maintain its position as the global financial system’s dominant nation.

Advertisement
Pratik Bhuyan
Pratik has been a crypto evangelist since 2016 & been through almost all that crypto has to offer. Be it the ICO boom, bear markets of 2018, Bitcoin halving to till now - he has seen it all.
Why trust CoinGape: CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.