Could digital currencies make money more fragile?

While the future is unpredictable, one where digital currencies dominate both money and payments seems a reasonable possibility. The benefits of convenience, lower cost and the possibility of greater financial inclusion seem irresistible. 

However, An area that hasn’t attracted sufficient attention is the potential increased fragility of money. And this has nothing to do with volatile cryptocurrency valuations. 

Find out more HERE.

Could digital currencies put banks out of business? - The Economist

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have been billed as a major disruptor to finance. But digital currencies issued by governments (CBDC) might be even more radical—they may even threaten the future of traditional banking.Could they even bankrupt banks?

Robinhood Warns of Meme Frenzy & Britain Wins Key Tax Exemption

Before its much-hyped IPO listing, retail trading app Robinhood has warned investors of another potential "meme stock" rally. 

Boom Bust's Ben Swann and Christy Ai join the program to analyze the pre-IPO news for the controversy-laden app. 

They then take a spin around the globe for a look at international stock market performance. 

Shifting to geopolitics, tensions are on the rise in the South China Sea as the United States and Japan have begun joint military drills in the region. RT's Alex Mihailovich files a report on the growing concern in Southeast Asia. 

Turning to  Europe, where the United Kingdom has managed to receive a key exemption in the newly backed global minimum tax proposal. Hilary Fordwich of the British-American Business Association gives her forecast on the new carve-out and what it spells for London as a banking hub in post-Brexit Europe.

Facebook Rolls Out Live Audio Rooms, Its Competitor To Clubhouse

Facebook has launched Live Audio Rooms, the social media giant’s competitor to audio-based Clubhouse. Facebook said, in a press release, that public figures and select Facebook Groups in the U.S. can start to use the feature on iOS, Apple’s operating system, while select podcasts will also be available in the U.S.

“TOP READS OF THE WEEK” (for week ending 2 July)

This week’s top reads in banking, fintech, payments, cybersecurity, AI, IoT, risk management and much more

In this weeks selection;

Top Reads

• Robinhood agrees to pay nearly $70M in FINRA settlement
• Will Artificial Intelligence Robots Do the Majority of Our Work in the Coming Decade?
• British regulator warns Binance to halt UK activity
• Citi launches digital assets unit, confirming crypto plans
• On-demand pay catches on, but scrutiny persists
• New consumer tech gadgets modernize payments
• Quarles: Fed-backed currency poses 'significant' risks, 'unclear' benefits
• How multi-accelerated Kenyan fintech startup Kwara is building an international operation
• Critical goods industries face existential ransomware decisions
• Users Clueless About Cybersecurity Risks: Study
• Whistleblowers risk getting nothing from bankrupt companies
• Scant evidence that cyber insurance boom is leading to better security
• Automating invoices becomes a hot payments play

From our Blog

• CBDC and Cryptocurrencies are NOT the same
• Is the rush to CBDCs just a fad driven by FOMO?
• CBDCs and the opportunities for the monetary system
• Key Steps on the Road to Digital Modernization in Corporate Banking
• Crypto: will the bitcoin dream succeed?

CBDC and Cryptocurrencies are NOT the same

As millions of people start to take an interest in the world of crypto, it is important to understand the difference between a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and a Cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.

The growth of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum has led to a greater interest in the technology behind these currencies from startups, individuals and governments alike.

There are many pros and cons to the CBDC economy. Jumping to conclusions based on incomplete understanding of the CBDC world is rife, especially since misinformation abounds and not much has been made public about the launch of the CBDCs by some of the economic giants in the world. 

Find out what these differences are in Arti Agarwal's article "Why CBDCs Are NOT The Same as Cryptocurrencies Like Bitcoin" HERE.

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Is the rush to CBDCs just a fad driven by FOMO?

U.S. Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Randal K. Quarles called the global rush to roll out central bank digital currencies (CBDC) akin to the 1980s parachute pants fad and FOMO, or the “fear of missing out.”

He was speaking at  the 113th Annual Utah Bankers Association Convention, Sun Valley, Idaho.

He drew a parallel to the world’s knee-jerk infatuation with digital currencies.

“Before we get carried away with the novelty, I think we need to subject the promises of a CBDC to a careful critical analysis,” he said in his remarks.

You can read his full speech "Parachute Pants and Central Bank Money" HERE.

Other comments from PYMNTS.com HERE.