China plans to start paying interest on digital yuan holdings to help speed up adoption of its central bank digital currency, with interest payments scheduled to begin in January. Citing an article written by People’s Bank of China’s (PBOC) deputy governor Lu Lei on Financial News, a newspaper affiliated with the central bank, Bloomberg reported that commercial banks that operate digital yuan wallets will pay customers interest based on their E-CNY balances. This move represents a milestone in the devel ...

While traders fixate on Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) ,Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) , industry experts and Polymarket odds indicate other cryptocurrencies could provide outsized returns in 2026. Lighter: The Institutional DEX PlayLighter Protocol is anticipated to launch its LIT token before the end of the year, following a $68 million raise from Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, and Ribbit Capital. The decentralized exchange runs on a custom Ethereum Layer-2 zero-knowledge rollup, p ...

The Council of the European Union, an EU body that amends legislation and commits national governments to adopting the bloc's laws, said it backs the European Central Bank’s plan to explore an official digital currency, calling it an evolution of money and a tool for financial inclusion. In a Friday post on its website, the Council, however, said the ECB will need to set limits on the total value that can be held in online accounts and digital wallets at any one time to “avoid the digital euro being used ...

Russian financial chief warns crypto can never replace the ruble. Source: Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images. Key Takeaways The head of Russian Financial Markets has said that crypto can never replace the ruble. The comments came amid Russia’s growing use of cryptocurrencies for international trade. Putin has played a key role in advancing pro-crypto policies in the country despite the central bank’s opposition. Russia has a new emerging crypto critic in the form of Anatoly Aksakov, chairm ...

🇨🇦 NEW: Bank of Canada will only approve high-quality stablecoins tied to central bank currencies under upcoming regulations, expected in 2026. https://t.co/NW63Trngc5 ...

Core Insights - Franklin Templeton has launched Hong Kong's first Luxembourg-registered tokenized money-market fund, the Franklin OnChain US Government Money Fund, which invests in short-term US government securities and utilizes blockchain technology for transaction processing and ownership recording [1][2][7] Group 1: Fund Details - The fund is initially open to institutional and professional investors with a minimum investment of HK$8 million (approximately US$1 million) [2] - A retail version of the fund is planned, pending approval from Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), aimed at democratizing access to digital asset investments [3][7] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The launch is part of the Fintech 2030 plan by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), which includes over 40 projects to promote tokenization, AI, and central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Hong Kong's financial sector [4] - Franklin Templeton has developed the blockchain platform for the fund and partnered with HSBC and OSL Group to enhance digital asset infrastructure [5] Group 3: Market Positioning - Hong Kong is positioning itself as a trusted hub for digital assets, with Franklin Templeton enhancing its blockchain capabilities since 2018 and previously launching the world's first U.S.-registered blockchain-integrated mutual fund in 2021 [6]

Core Points - The European Central Bank (ECB) has been instructed by the European Council to expedite the development of the digital euro, a central bank digital currency (CBDC) [1][3] - If the European Parliament approves the necessary regulations in 2026, a pilot for the digital euro will occur in 2027, with a full rollout planned for 2029 [1][4] - Christine Lagarde, ECB president, emphasized the importance of the digital euro in digitizing cash and reducing reliance on physical currency [2][3] Development Timeline - The ECB is entering the "next and final phase" of the digital euro's development [2] - The European Parliament's approval in 2026 is crucial for initiating a pilot exercise and initial transactions by mid-2027 [4] - The formal release of the digital euro across Europe is targeted for 2029 [1][4] Financial Aspects - The total estimated development cost for the digital euro is €1.3 billion (approximately $1.5 billion) until its first issuance in 2029 [5] - Annual operating costs post-launch are projected to be €320 million (around $369 million) [5] Technical Characteristics - The digital euro will not utilize public blockchains for transactions but will incorporate key design principles from digital ledger technology [3] - Unlike stablecoins, CBDCs like the digital euro are issued by central banks and are distinct in their operational framework [3]

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of England's recent decision to impose caps on stablecoin ownership is seen as detrimental to innovation and competitiveness in the UK financial sector, potentially pushing capital offshore and harming the demand for UK gilts [1][4][8]. Cryptocurrency and Stablecoins - The stablecoin market has rapidly grown to nearly $300 billion (£222 billion), and the Bank of England's restrictions have drawn criticism from various stakeholders who argue it could disadvantage the UK compared to other countries [2][5]. - Supporters of stablecoins argue they facilitate easier payments by providing a fast, cheap, and anonymous method for global transactions, contrasting with the volatility of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin [5][15]. Regulatory Environment - Critics, including Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf, accuse the Bank of England of being "openly hostile to innovators" and failing to create a conducive environment for the development of digital assets [6][12]. - The proposed caps on stablecoin ownership are viewed as a significant regulatory overreach that could stifle growth and innovation in the UK financial system [8][19]. Economic Implications - The restrictions on stablecoins could lead to reduced demand for UK gilts, further diminishing London's status as a global financial hub [3][8]. - The digital asset industry is already a significant employer in the UK, and the potential for GBP-backed stablecoins could attract capital and strengthen the pound in the digital economy [17][18]. Future Outlook - There is a call for a regulatory framework that is transparent and pro-growth to make the UK an attractive jurisdiction for crypto and digital finance [14][20]. - The article emphasizes the urgency for the UK to embrace innovation in the digital economy to avoid falling behind other countries that are actively fostering such developments [21].

Regulatory Landscape - EU officials are considering issuing the digital euro on public blockchains like Ethereum or Solana [1] - The U S House of Representatives' defense bill includes an anti-central bank digital currency provision [1] Cryptocurrency Mining - Over 32% of Bitcoin is mined by publicly listed companies [1]

Digital Currency Landscape - The EU's digital euro, in its anticipated private form, is expected to resemble the Chinese central bank's token more than the approaches of private companies in the US [1] Geopolitical Comparison - The comparison highlights a potential divergence in digital currency strategies between the EU, China, and the US [1]