The U.S. Treasury Department is recommending more research on the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
In a new report, the Treasury Department says the US has an objective to create a future payments system that promotes American values, minimizes risks and fosters inclusion.
To achieve its goal, the agency recommends more research on a possible U.S. CBDC in case one is ever seen as beneficial to national interest.
“The Federal Reserve is encouraged to: continue its research and technical experimentation on CBDCs, including its work on analyzing the possible choices of technology and other design elements of a CBDC; continue evaluating policy considerations as described in its January 2022 discussion paper.
[It should also] find mechanisms to provide the public with periodic updates on these initiatives, given the strong public interest in this topic; and consider how research and development on digital assets and other related innovations that is conducted or supported by other Federal agencies could support a U.S. CBDC.”
The Treasury Department says it will support the Federal Reserve by forming an inter-agency CBDC task force.
The Department further recommends encouraging the use of instant payment systems to support a more competitive and inclusive US payments landscape.
“New instant payment systems have been recently developed or are scheduled to launch soon, capable of handling higher volumes of transactions at lower cost than some current payment systems.
Experience with instant payment systems around the world suggests that enhancements are possible to make the payment system more competitive, efficient and inclusive and might also reduce the costs of cross-border transactions.”
However, the report notes a few challenges associated with instant payment systems, such as the need for customers and businesses to adjust their financial habits and the tendency of instant payment systems to be exclusive.
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