Core Viewpoint - The rapid development and adoption of digital currency, specifically the digital renminbi (e-CNY), is transforming payment methods in China, with significant implications for traditional payment systems like QR code payments [1][4][10]. Group 1: Digital Renminbi Overview - Digital renminbi (e-CNY) is a legal digital currency issued by the People's Bank of China, with the same legal status and economic value as physical cash [1][3]. - As of June 2025, the digital renminbi pilot program has expanded to 28 provinces, with over 750 million personal wallets opened and transaction amounts exceeding 60 trillion yuan [1][4]. Group 2: Comparison with Third-Party Payment Tools - The digital renminbi differs from third-party payment tools like WeChat Pay and Alipay in several aspects, including issuance by the central bank, a dual-layer operational model, and support for offline payments [3][6]. - Digital renminbi emphasizes faster settlement and user privacy through a design principle of "small amount anonymity, large amount traceability" [3][6]. Group 3: Application Scenarios and Merchant Adoption - The application scenarios for digital renminbi are expanding from retail and dining to public services and cross-border trade, with over 21 million merchants supporting its use by mid-2025 [4][7]. - In some pilot cities, digital renminbi payments account for approximately 15% of local mobile payment volumes, positioning it as the third major payment method after WeChat Pay and Alipay [4][10]. Group 4: User Experience and Adoption Challenges - User habits pose a significant challenge for the adoption of digital renminbi, as established platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay have high user loyalty [6][7]. - The People's Bank of China is implementing measures to enhance user experience, such as promotional activities and app optimizations, to encourage the use of digital renminbi [7][10]. Group 5: Security and Financial System Impact - Digital renminbi incorporates advanced security features, including dual authentication and real-time transaction monitoring to prevent fraud [8][9]. - The promotion of digital renminbi is expected to reduce cash circulation costs, enhance payment system efficiency, and provide innovative applications through programmable features [8][9]. Group 6: Future Outlook - By 2030, digital renminbi is projected to cover over 95% of administrative regions in China, with user numbers exceeding 1 billion and annual transaction volumes reaching 25% of total retail sales [11][12]. - Digital renminbi is not intended to replace existing payment methods but to coexist and complement them, contributing to a diverse and efficient payment ecosystem [11][12].
央行发布通知,“数字人民币”或将全国普及?二维码以后会消失吗?