Core Insights - The UAE is launching the Digital Dirham, a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) aimed at transforming savings, payments, and currency interactions [3][4] - The Digital Dirham is part of the UAE's modernization strategy for financial infrastructure, ensuring competitiveness in the global digital economy [3] - The currency will enhance payment speed, ensure monetary sovereignty, and secure central bank currency in the digital economy [3][8] Group 1: Digital Dirham Overview - The Digital Dirham is issued by the Central Bank of the UAE and is based on blockchain technology, making it a trusted and secure form of digital currency [3][4] - It will be used in various scenarios, including retail, wholesale, and cross-border payments [4] - The Digital Dirham aims to improve financial inclusion and reduce transaction costs, thereby unlocking economic growth potential [8] Group 2: Development Timeline - The Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) project was initiated in February 2023, with the Digital Dirham becoming legal tender in October 2023 [7] - The first issuance of Digital Dirham is scheduled for January 2024, with cross-border payments to be realized through the "mBridge project" [7] - Pilot testing for retail scenarios will occur from March 2023 to June 2024, covering four new use cases [7] Group 3: Advantages and Impact - The Digital Dirham will enhance monetary policy, improve financial system security, and streamline compliance processes [8] - It will facilitate cross-border collaboration and promote payment method competition, increasing resilience in the payment ecosystem [8] - The currency will also support financial innovation, including tokenization and smart contracts [8] Group 4: Comparison with Cryptocurrencies - The Digital Dirham is issued by the Central Bank of the UAE, while cryptocurrencies are decentralized and lack government backing [9] - The Digital Dirham offers price stability, whereas cryptocurrencies are known for their price volatility [9] - The Digital Dirham complies with national regulations, unlike many cryptocurrencies that often lack legal protections [9] Group 5: User Impact - The Digital Dirham will function similarly to cash or bank cards for everyday users, enabling faster and safer transactions [10] - Banks and licensed fintech companies will manage wallet issuance and user services under central bank oversight [10] - The government can utilize programmable Digital Dirhams for social security payments and subsidy distributions, enhancing transparency and efficiency [10]
36氪出海·中东｜迪拜IFZA自由区完全解析：阿联酋数字货币
3 6 Ke·2025-11-06 09:28