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ECB scrutinizes CBDC fees and conditions

source-logo  thecoinrepublic.com 04 December 2021 01:48, UTC
  • CBDC fees and conditions are being analyzed by the European Central Bank
  • The ECB has recently issued a document entitled “Central Bank Digital Currency: functional scope, pricing, and controls”
  • The European Central Bank has identified three fundamental features of the success of digital euro
  • Digital national currency could lead to improved economic outcomes

CBDC has been considered as beneficial by several governments. Where the United States does not rush with their digital dollar issuance, other nations seem to be entering in the race to the top. Recently, it has been revealed that the European Central Bank (ECB) has been exploring central bank digital currency fees and conditions for success. Notably, there is a tendency among consumers who think that CBDCs are simply digital money. Hence, many assume that the same conditions should be applied, which applies on notes and coins. However, the December paper released by the ECB, has shown that such a mindset is a mistake.

CBDC is not similar to notes and coins

The ECB has recently issued a document entitled “Central Bank Digital Currency: functional scope, pricing, and controls”. The paper consists of several answers to many questions by Ulrich Bindseil, Fabio Panetta, and Ignacio Terol. Notably, the paper also raised the matter of whether the digital euro would be sustainable without a fee of cost recovery structure.

Following the issues, the paper noted that while transacting through cash, merchants do not face any per-transaction costs. Moreover, to accept cash no merchants require an acceptance device. However, to transact with digital money, consumers must have an acceptance device, and they would have to pay a transaction fee for each transaction.

Besides the design of cost recovery and fee compensation structures also require to be based on a comprehensive analysis. Indeed, the CBDC project should consider alternative and only partially compatible principles.

Three fundamental feature of digital euro

The paper issued by the European Central Bank has identified three fundamental features of the success of digital euro. Notably, “for sale, data, and never seen” these three features gives the CBDC some kinds of status as a legal tender, incentivizing selected intermediaries, and also customer demand for digital currency payment options.

Following the issues and answers mentioned in the paper, several Europeans have reacted negatively to the idea of a digital euro. The local residents cited that the idea violates their privacy. Hence, the paper highlighted that as public and independent institutions, central banks have no interest in monetizing users’ payments data. However, the government would process such data to the extent necessary for performing their functions and in full compliance with public interest objectives and legislations.

Digital euro would improve economic outcomes

While coming towards the competitions among banks, the paper also noted some win-win strategy. According to the released document, If instead banks have market power in the deposit market, digital national currency could lead to improved economic outcomes. Indeed, CBDC would enhance competition, incentivizing banks to offer better services, and will offer higher rates to depositors.

thecoinrepublic.com