Bei Jing Shang Bao·2025-12-31 05:25Core Viewpoint - Major Chinese banks including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Postal Savings Bank of China, Bank of Communications, and China Construction Bank will start paying interest on digital RMB wallet balances at the same rate as current deposit rates from January 1, 2026, marking a significant transition in the digital currency landscape in China [1][4][5] Group 1: Bank Announcements - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, and Postal Savings Bank of China will apply interest to digital RMB wallet balances according to the current deposit rate, with interest calculation rules consistent with those for current deposits [4] - Bank of Communications will also apply the current deposit rate to digital RMB wallet balances, including various types of personal and corporate wallets, while balances in type four wallets will not earn interest [4] - China Construction Bank will revise its customer service agreement to reflect that digital RMB wallet balances will earn interest based on the current deposit rate starting January 1, 2026 [4] Group 2: Digital RMB Framework - The People's Bank of China has introduced a plan to enhance the management and service system for digital RMB, which will officially implement a new measurement framework and operational mechanism on January 1, 2026 [5] - This transition signifies a shift from the "digital cash era" to the "digital deposit currency era" after a decade of research and pilot programs [5]