Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-12-31 10:02Core Viewpoint - Starting from January 1, 2026, interest will be paid on the balances of real-name digital RMB wallets, as announced by six major state-owned commercial banks in China [1][3]. Group 1: Interest Payment Arrangement - Customers with real-name digital RMB wallets at the specified banks will receive interest based on the banks' published demand deposit rates, with interest calculation rules consistent with traditional demand deposits [3]. - For example, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) will settle interest quarterly, with the interest credited on the 21st of each quarter's last month [3]. - The interest payment arrangement applies only to real-name wallets, while anonymous wallets will not earn interest [3]. Group 2: Regulatory Framework - This adjustment is part of the People's Bank of China's recent action plan aimed at enhancing the management and service system for digital RMB, which will officially launch on January 1, 2026 [3]. - The plan stipulates that banks must pay interest on real-name digital RMB wallet balances and adhere to self-discipline agreements on deposit interest rate pricing [3]. Group 3: Transition to Deposit Currency - The new system marks a transition of digital RMB from a cash-like version 1.0 to a deposit currency version 2.0, allowing banks to manage digital RMB wallet balances as liabilities [4]. - Digital RMB wallets will be insured similarly to traditional deposits, providing customers with equivalent safety guarantees [4]. - Currently, there are ten designated operating institutions for digital RMB, including the six major state-owned banks and several other commercial and internet banks [4].