Central Bank Digital Currencies: A Path to Digital Interbank Transactions

What is a CBDC?

A central bank digital currency (CBDC) is a digital currency issued by a central bank. In contrast to crypto assets and stablecoins, a CBDC is a digital form of central bank money, specifically the euro in the case of the digital euro. It could be used by the general public as a digital form of cash issued by the central bank and available to everyone in the euro area.

The Digital Euro

The digital euro is a piece of critical infrastructure for Europe and is a top priority for the Bundesbank. Wholesale CBDC projects are about making digital interbank transactions such as securities settlement and cross-border payments more efficient and secure.

Technical Guideline for CBDCs

The subject of this Technical Guideline (Technische Richtlinie TR) are Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).