{"id":400398,"date":"2019-10-04T13:00:41","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wncen.com\/?p=400398"},"modified":"2019-10-04T11:54:47","modified_gmt":"2019-10-04T11:54:47","slug":"bank-president-says-us-digital-currency-is-inevitable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wncen.com\/news\/bank-president-says-us-digital-currency-is-inevitable\/","title":{"rendered":"Bank President Says US Digital Currency Is Inevitable"},"content":{"rendered":"
In a letter<\/a> to Jerome Powell, two congressmen have asked the Federal Reserve chairman to consider developing a US-backed cryptocurrency. In short, they believe this is necessary to keep pace with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n However, Powell has previously poured cold water on the idea of a digital dollar. And he’s not alone in this view, with many arguing that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) negatively impact a country’s economic landscape by stifling commerce.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In what is becoming a bipartisan issue, French Hill and Bill Foster penned their concerns over the lack of a national digital currency. In their letter to Powell, they drew attention to the evolution of money and payments. And, at the same time, expressed their concerns over the US being left behind:<\/p>\n “it may become increasingly imperitive that the Federal Reserve take up the project of developing a U.S. dollar digital currency.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Expanding on this point, they cited a study conducted by the Bank for International Settlements, which shows over 40 countries have developed, or are in the process of developing a national digital currency.<\/p>\n For example, Sweden is working on the e-Krona project, and Uruguay is developing its e-Peso. Not forgetting China, who are rumored to go-live with their digital Yuan in the coming months, all of which are modeled after the underlying technologies of cryptocurrency.<\/p>\n As such, Hill and Foster seek clarification on Powell’s stance towards a US digital currency. But, it’s clear that the underlying intent is to spur action in the development of one.<\/p>\n Although Powell has yet to respond to the letter, he has previously expressed caution<\/a>, as far as CBDCs are concerned.<\/p>\n During a conference in Zurich, a few weeks ago, he stated that a national digital currency raises several significant issues. Chief among which is cybersecurity. However, there are also doubts about the demand for a CBDC. Powell said:<\/p>\n “It\u2019s also not clear to us that there is demand for this. You know, consumers have plenty of payment options, they\u2019re not clamering for this.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Having touched upon those issues, Powell also stated that banks are a necessary component of the US financial landscape. And it’s unclear what will happen to banks under a system of consumers dealing directly with the central bank.<\/p>\n Indeed, in a situation where consumers hold accounts directly with the Federal Reserve, it’s prudent to consider whether they have the resources to handle customer service that comes with that. And the answer is, probably not.<\/p>\nConcern Over Lack of US Digital Currency<\/h2>\n
Powell Not Keen on a Cryptocurrency<\/h3>\n
CBDCs Encourage Economic Stagnation<\/h2>\n