I decided to take a monthly look at the news coverage as it pertains to Banks and Central Banks and here is what I found. It appears most central banks as opposed to Crypto, however many are exploring Blockchain. As mentioned by Reserve's CEO, most will tokenize in some form or fashion. The Bahamas might be the next in line as they look to launch in 2020, behind the Marshall Islands which launched the Soverign Coin earlier last year. However, Russia is halting it's plans to create a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC.) Both Saudi and Thailand are using Ripple's XRP
As it applies to Blockchain, we are seeing banks adopt the technology for other reasons like, bond transactions, settlement processes, processing promissory note loans, verifying staff credentials, mortgage processes, etc. I will try to provide more "watches" like this one in the coming months.
Opinions
- Reserve CEO predicts central banks will tokenize but there is still room for Stablecoins.
Global
- World Bank and CommBank team up for ‘world first’ Blockchain bond transaction.
- Top banks ‘investing $50 Million’ to build Blockchain settlement system.
- Four banks successfully test new Blockchain platform for processing promissory note loans.
Europe
- European Central Bank says Crypto does not have tangible impact on real economy.
- European Central Bank says Bitcoin isn’t a threat, Cryptocurrency is not a new asset class.
- European bank official discusses potential benefits of central bank digital currency.
United Kingdom
- UK Central Bank Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden says Crypto is not a store of value.
Ireland
- Three of Ireland’s ‘big four’ banks using Blockchain to verify staff credentials.
Russia
- Bank of Russia says we are opposed to Crypto, but may consider gold-backed digi-asset.
- Russia’s largest bank halts Crypto plans due to centralbank’s negative stance.
Africa
- Central Bank of Malawi says Crypto is not legal tender, warns of trading risks.
- Egypt: Central Bank’s draft law requires licenses for Crypto-related activities.
- Rwanda’s Central Bank issues PSA on alleged Cryptocurrency get-rich-quick scams.
China
- Bank of China Council Member: Owning Bitcoin is still legal in China.
South East Asia
- Myanmar’s central bank wary of volatile Cryptocurrencies; cautions investors to not trade.
- Central Bank of Laos issues warning against using Cryptocurrency.
- Singapore: Security token platform iSTOX admitted to Central Bank sandbox.
- Oldest Thai bank confirms Ripple’s XRapid shortens money transfer from Japan to Thailand under 5 Seconds.
South Korea
- Korea’s oldest bank launches national Blockchain-based loan platform.
Saudi Arabia
- A $50 Billion banking giant, SABB, launches international payments with ripple’s XRP.
UAE
- Dubai government and UAE bank unveil Blockchain-based mortgage platform.
Canada
- Five Canadian Banks employ SecureKey Blockchain system to identify users.
Netherlands
- Dutch Central Bank will keep embracing DLT, but to-date findings are not all positive.
- Dutch Bank Rabobank cancels development of ‘Rabobit’ Crypto wallet.
France
- Three French banks join R3 CordaBlockchain-based loans platform.
- Bank of France is closely watching Stablecoin developments, says Governor.
- Finastra signs three French banks to DLT lending consortium.
India
- Powerful Indian tech lobby urges Central Bank to favor Bitcoin startups.
- Indian bank gets flack over Bitcoin hypocrisy.
Bahamas
- Bahamas Central Bank enters agreement to deliver first national digital currency by 2020.
Chronological
31 May
Russia’s largest bank halts Crypto plans due to centralbank’s negative stance.
Rwanda’s Central Bank issues PSA on alleged Cryptocurrency get-rich-quick scams.
30 May
Bahamas Central Bank enters agreement to deliver first national digital currency by 2020.
Three of Ireland’s ‘big four’ banks using Blockchain to verify staff credentials.
29 May
Dubai government and UAE bank unveil Blockchain-based mortgage platform.
Egypt: Central Bank’s draft law requires licenses for Crypto-related activities.
28 May
European bank official discusses potential benefits of central bank digital currency.
Central Bank of Malawi says Crypto is not legal tender, warns of trading risks.
Korea’s oldest bank launches national Blockchain-based loan platform.
Oldest Thai bank confirms Ripple’s XRapid shortens money transfer from Japan to Thailand under 5 Seconds.
27 May
European Central Banksays Bitcoin isn’t a threat, Cryptocurrency is not a new asset class.
24 May
Bank of Russia says we are opposed to Crypto, but may consider gold-backed digi-asset.
Dutch Bank Rabobank cancels development of ‘Rabobit’ Crypto wallet.
Security token platform iSTOX admitted to Central Bank sandbox.
23 May
Bank of China Council Member: Owning Bitcoin is still legal in China.
Four banks successfully test new Blockchain platform for processing promissory note loans.
22 May
Central Bank of Laos issues warning against using Cryptocurrency.
21 May
Myanmar’s central bank wary of volatile Cryptocurrencies; cautions investors to not trade.
20 May
Indian bank gets flack over Bitcoin hypocrisy.
European Central Bank says Crypto does not have tangible impact on real economy.
17 May
Powerful Indian tech lobby urges Central Bank to favor Bitcoin startups.
Top banks ‘investing $50 Million’ to build Blockchain settlement system.
16 May
World Bank and CommBank team up for ‘world first’ Blockchain bond transaction.
Finastra signs three French banks to DLT lending consortium.
Reserve CEO predicts central banks will tokenize but there is still room for Stablecoins.
15 May
Three French banks join R3 CordaBlockchain-based loans platform.
Bank of France is closely watching Stablecoin developments, says Governor.
02 May
Dutch Central Bank will keep embracing DLT, but to-date findings are not all positive.
Five Canadian Banks employ SecureKey Blockchain system to identify users.
01 May
A $50 Billion banking giant, SABB, launches international payments with ripple’s XRP.
UK Central Bank Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden says Crypto is not a store of value.
