数字人民币将迈入计息时代

Core Viewpoint - The digital renminbi is transitioning from a "digital cash era" to a "digital deposit currency era," with the implementation of a new action plan by the People's Bank of China starting January 1, 2026, aimed at enhancing management and service capabilities [1][3]. Group 1: Digital Renminbi Development - The research and development of digital renminbi began in 2014, with a theoretical framework proposed in 2016, leading to the successful trial of a dual-layer operational system [3]. - As of November 2025, digital renminbi has processed 3.48 billion transactions, amounting to 16.7 trillion yuan, with 230 million personal wallets opened [3]. - The digital renminbi is currently leading among central bank digital currency projects globally [3]. Group 2: Challenges and Solutions - The digital currency faces four main challenges: modern digital payment tools affecting monetary control, risks of financial disintermediation, the relationship between central bank liabilities and commercial bank responsibilities, and the compatibility of centralized management with decentralized blockchain technology [4]. - The new action plan aims to optimize the dual-layer structure to address these challenges, marking the transition to a digital deposit currency [4][5]. Group 3: Key Changes in Digital Renminbi - Starting January 1, 2026, digital renminbi will be managed under a reserve system, with non-bank payment institutions required to maintain 100% reserves [5]. - Digital renminbi wallet balances will earn interest, aligning with the treatment of traditional bank deposits [5]. - This transition will enhance the monetary elasticity of digital renminbi, allowing it to support credit activities and deposit expansion [6]. Group 4: Technological Integration - The action plan emphasizes the integration of account-based management with blockchain efficiency, proposing a digital solution that includes "account systems + digital currency + smart contracts" [9]. - The establishment of a digital renminbi international operation center in Shanghai aims to enhance cross-border payment capabilities and support various financial services [10]. Group 5: Future Prospects - The People's Bank of China plans to expand the list of digital renminbi operating institutions, with current institutions including major banks like ICBC, ABC, and BOC [11]. - Some banks, such as SPD Bank, are actively preparing to become digital renminbi operating institutions, indicating a growing interest in this sector [12].