CBDC; digital currency put forward by RBI

 The Reserve Bank of India is likely to soon kick off pilot projects to assess the viability of using digital currency to make wholesale and retail payments to help calibrate its strategy for introducing a full-scale central bank digital currency (CBDC).

India is already a leader in digital payments, but cash remains dominant for small-value transactions, he said, stressing that an official digital currency would reduce the cost of currency management while enabling real-time payments without any inter-bank settlement.

“Every idea has to wait for its time, perhaps the time for a CBDC is here,” RBI Deputy Governor T. Rabi Sankar said on Thursday. “Like other central banks, we have also been exploring the pros and cons of this since quite some time,” he added. A high-level inter-ministerial committee set up by the Finance Ministry had recommended the introduction of a CBDC with changes in the legal framework including the RBI Act, which currently empowers the RBI to regulate issuance of bank notes.

Transacting with CBDC would be an instantaneous process as the need for inter-bank settlement would disappear as it would be a central bank liability handed over from one person to another, Mr. Sankar pointed out. Moreover, foreign trade transactions could be speeded up between countries adopting a CBDC. “India’s fairly high currency-to-GDP ratio holds out another benefit of CBDC — to the extent large cash usage can be replaced by CBDC, the cost of printing, transporting and storing paper currency can be substantially reduced,” Mr. Sankar said at a discussion hosted by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. CBDC will be India’s sovereign currency in an electronic form.

According to the RBI deputy Governor, since CBDC is a currency that does not pay interest, its impact on bank deposits may “actually” be limited.“Depositors that require CBDCs for transactional purposes are likely to sweep day end balances to interest-earning deposit accounts,” he said.

However, he said that CBDC is not comparable to the private virtual currencies that have mushroomed over the last decade. He said, “Private virtual currencies sit at substantial odds to the historical concept of money. They are not commodities or claims on commodities as they have no intrinsic value; some claims that they are akin to gold clearly seem opportunistic.”

Complements fiat currency?

Sajai Singh, Partner at J Sagar Associates, said, “RBI is moving in the right direction with regard to digital currencies. Any RBI backed digital currency will come with a promise of less volatility and greater security for the bearer of the same. This will be very different from cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are rather popular, but carry innumerable risks. Also, RBI’s support to a digital currency will ensure its financial stability. It will be similar to say a potential digital Euro and digital Yuan.”

FaTE of crypto’s

According to Patel, CBDC’s might have a negligible direct impact on private digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Matic, Doge, etc. These private cryptocurrencies are based on ‘decentralization’. “The sovereign digital currencies are in stark contrast to decentralization, as the central banks govern and control them. However, as and when CBDCs start gaining more adoption, people would get to learn more about private cryptocurrencies as well. It would indirectly act as a catalyst to creating awareness of the practical usage of cryptocurrencies. That is when the crypto markets would start getting increased retail participation as well,” he told FE Online.

Cryptocurrency: Rise and Fall of Digital Currency

  The advent of cryptocurrency has been a game-changer for the financial world. It was supposed to be the future of money, but the reality is far from it. The majority of cryptocurrencies, despite having a good start, have failed to sustain their position in the market. This article will delve into the reasons behind the failure of many CryptocurrenciesBlockchain Experiments.

Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com

Types of Cryptocurrency

Before diving into the reasons, it’s important to understand the different types of cryptocurrencies. There are several types of cryptocurrencies, but the most common ones are:

Bitcoin: The first and most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin was created in 2009.

Ethereum: A decentralized platform for building decentralized applications (dapps) and smart contracts.

Ripple (XRP): A digital currency for cross-border transactions that’s aimed at financial institutions.

Litecoin: A peer-to-peer cryptocurrency that’s similar to Bitcoin but faster and with a lower transaction fee.

Tether: A stablecoin that’s pegged to the US dollar, ensuring stability and avoiding price volatility.

Lack of Regulation

The Dark Side of Cryptocurrency

One of the biggest reasons for the failure of many cryptocurrencies is the lack of regulation. Cryptocurrencies operate in a decentralized manner, making it challenging to regulate their activities. The lack of regulation has led to several fraudulent activities in the cryptocurrency market, including Ponzi schemes, money laundering, and hacking. This has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars for investors and has eroded the trust of the public in cryptocurrencies.

Technical Challenges

Title: The Technical Hurdles of Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies also face several technical challenges, including scalability and security issues. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies has resulted in a slow and costly transaction process. This makes it difficult for cryptocurrencies to compete with traditional payment methods like credit cards and online payment platforms. Additionally, the security of cryptocurrencies is also a major concern, with several exchanges and wallets being hacked, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrencies.

Competition from Traditional Finance

Title: The Battle between Cryptocurrency and Traditional Finance

Cryptocurrencies face stiff competition from traditional finance, which has a much more established and trusted infrastructure. The lack of acceptance of cryptocurrencies by merchants and consumers has hindered their growth, making it challenging for them to compete with traditional payment methods. Additionally, traditional finance has the advantage of being well-regulated, which has helped to build trust in the industry.

Lack of Awareness and Understanding

Title: The Gap in Public Understanding

Another reason for the failure of many cryptocurrencies is the lack of awareness and understanding among the general public. Many people are still not aware of the potential benefits of cryptocurrencies and how they work. Additionally, the complex nature of cryptocurrencies has made it difficult for people to understand and trust them. This lack of understanding has resulted in many people being hesitant to invest in cryptocurrencies, leading to their failure.

The Overcrowded Cryptocurrency Market

Another reason for the failure of many cryptocurrencies is the saturated market. With the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies, many new coins have been introduced, leading to an overcrowded market. This has made it challenging for new coins to gain traction and compete with established coins. Additionally, the large number of coins has resulted in many of them becoming worthless, making it difficult for investors to differentiate between a good investment and a bad one.

The saturation of the market has also led to a lack of innovation, as most new coins are just copies of existing ones with minor modifications. This has resulted in an unsustainable market, where many coins are struggling to survive and investors are losing their money.

Moreover, the crowded market has also created a highly competitive environment, where coins are constantly fighting for market share. This has resulted in a price war, where coins are lowering their prices in order to attract more users. This price war, combined with the lack of innovation, has made it challenging for many coins to remain profitable, leading to their failure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the failure of many cryptocurrencies is due to several factors, including the lack of regulation, technical challenges, competition from traditional finance, and a lack of awareness and understanding. Despite these challenges, cryptocurrencies have the potential to revolutionize the financial world if they can overcome these obstacles and gain the trust of the public. As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these challenges will be addressed and what the future holds for this digital currency.

The Pros and Cons of Cryptocurrency

 Cryptocurrency is a relatively new and complex digital asset that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is a decentralized form of currency that operates on a blockchain system, allowing users to conduct secure and anonymous transactions without the need for a third party. While cryptocurrency has been hailed as a revolutionary technology, there are also concerns about its safety, legality, and environmental impact. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of cryptocurrency, including its potential impact on the global economy. Additionally, it’s worth noting that there are online trading platforms such as this trading Website which offer an opportunity to invest in cryptocurrencies.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Pros of Cryptocurrency:

Decentralization: One of the most significant advantages of cryptocurrency is that it operates on a decentralized system. This means that it is not controlled by any government or financial institution, which reduces the risk of corruption, fraud, and inflation. It also means that users have greater control over their own finances and can conduct transactions anonymously.

Security: Cryptocurrency transactions are secured through encryption and digital signatures, making them virtually impossible to hack or counterfeit. This makes cryptocurrency a more secure option than traditional banking methods, which are susceptible to cyber-attacks and data breaches.

Transparency: Every transaction on the blockchain is recorded and can be viewed by anyone, making it a highly transparent system. This reduces the risk of fraud and corruption, as all transactions are open for public scrutiny.

Fast and Efficient: Cryptocurrency transactions are processed quickly and efficiently, without the need for intermediaries. This makes it a more cost-effective option for international transactions, as it eliminates the need for expensive currency exchanges and transfer fees.

Cons of Cryptocurrency:

Volatility: Cryptocurrency values are highly volatile and can fluctuate rapidly. This makes it a risky investment option for those who are risk-averse or unfamiliar with the technology. While some cryptocurrencies have seen significant gains in value, others have experienced sharp declines, leading to significant losses for investors.

Regulation: Cryptocurrency is not regulated by any government or financial institution, which means that there is little oversight and few legal protections for users. This makes it a risky option for those who are concerned about fraud and theft, as there is no recourse for recovering lost or stolen funds.

Environmental Impact: Cryptocurrency mining requires significant amounts of energy and computing power, which can have a negative impact on the environment. Some critics argue that the energy consumption associated with cryptocurrency mining is unsustainable and contributes to global warming.

Adoption: While cryptocurrency has seen significant growth in recent years, it is still a relatively niche technology that is not widely adopted. This limits its usefulness as a practical currency, as it is not yet accepted by many retailers and businesses.

Conclusion:

Cryptocurrency is a relatively new technology that has gained significant attention in recent years. It is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank. The most well-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, but there are now thousands of other cryptocurrencies available on various exchanges.

One of the most significant advantages of cryptocurrency is that it is decentralized, meaning that it operates independently of a central authority, such as a bank or government. This means that users can conduct transactions without the need for intermediaries or third parties, which can reduce transaction costs and increase transaction speed. Additionally, transactions made with cryptocurrency are highly secure, as they are recorded on a distributed ledger called a blockchain, which makes it virtually impossible to tamper with the records.

Another advantage of cryptocurrency is that it offers transparency, as all transactions are publicly recorded on the blockchain. This means that users can see all transactions made on the network, providing increased transparency and accountability. Additionally, cryptocurrency can be used as a hedge against inflation, as the supply of most cryptocurrencies is limited, and the value of the currency is determined by supply and demand.

Despite these advantages, there are also significant drawbacks to cryptocurrency. One of the biggest challenges is the volatility of the market. The value of cryptocurrencies can fluctuate wildly in short periods, making them a risky investment. Additionally, the lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency market can make it a target for fraud and scams, which can lead to significant financial losses for investors.

E RUPI

On 2 August 2021, a digital payment solution was launched by the honorable prime minister of India. 
E RUPI is a cashless and contactless payment method. Through it, the government is trying to bring an e-voucher system.
Under it, a QR code or message will be delivered to the mobile of the beneficiary. Through it, vouchers can be redeemed without a card, digital payment app, or net banking.
Developed by the National Payments Collaboration of India(NPCI) in partnership with the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & National Health Authority.
It works as a connection between a sponsor service and the targeted audience without involving any physical interface. Being pre-paid in nature will ensure timely payments in the process.
To be used as delivering service under welfare schemes by the government. It can also be used by the private sector companies for employees’ welfare schemes and corporate social responsibility.
It can be a game-changer in the future.