数字人民币迎来重大调整 | 知识窗

Core Viewpoint - From January 1, 2026, digital yuan wallet balances will earn interest based on current deposit rates, marking a transition from "digital cash" to "digital deposit currency" in China [2][3] Group 1: Digital Yuan Transition - The People's Bank of China will be the first central bank to pay interest on its digital currency, enhancing user willingness to adopt digital yuan and expanding its usage scenarios [2] - Major state-owned banks, including ICBC, ABC, CCB, BOC, PSBC, and BOCOM, will implement interest payments on digital yuan wallets, aligning with current deposit rates [3] - This shift signifies a move from version 1.0, which functioned as "digital cash," to version 2.0, which will operate as "digital current deposits" with core functions including value measurement, value storage, and cross-border payments [3] Group 2: Characteristics of Digital Yuan - Digital yuan is a legal tender issued by the People's Bank of China, designed to support a broad account system and allow for a loose coupling with bank accounts [6] - It does not pay interest, aligning with its classification as M0, similar to physical cash [10] - Digital yuan offers low operational costs, as there are no fees for exchange or circulation services [12] - Transactions using digital yuan are settled immediately, enhancing efficiency [14] - It incorporates controllable anonymity, protecting personal information while preventing illegal activities [16] - Security features include digital certificates, signatures, and encryption to ensure transaction integrity and prevent fraud [17] - Digital yuan is programmable through smart contracts, allowing for automated transactions under agreed conditions [19] Group 3: Comparison with Third-Party Payment Systems - Digital yuan is a state-backed legal currency that merchants cannot refuse, unlike third-party payment systems [21] - It does not incur any transaction fees and supports offline transactions [21] - Third-party payment systems may charge fees and require internet access, limiting their usability [23] Group 4: Benefits of Digital Yuan - The issuance cost is reduced as there is no need for physical currency production [25] - It aids in combating illegal activities through transaction data tracking [27] - Digital yuan facilitates the internationalization of the renminbi, making cross-border transactions more efficient [29] Group 5: Usage Scenarios - Digital yuan can be used in various sectors, including transportation, shopping, dining, healthcare, cultural tourism, and online platforms [31] - It has established a comprehensive application model across multiple fields, integrating both online and offline payment capabilities [31]