This Keynote from the Cañizares Center for Emerging Markets will explore the opportunities and risks of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) at a pivotal moment for global finance. Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies, CBDCs are state-issued, programmable, and centrally controlled. They promise faster payments, greater transparency, and broader financial inclusion, but also raise serious concerns about privacy, cybersecurity, and disruption to banks and financial markets.
Drawing on global cases — from China's e-CNY to Nigeria's eNaira — our panel will explore how technology alone does not guarantee adoption. Trust, infrastructure, clear use cases, and integration with existing payment systems prove decisive. The future of money will be plural, competitive, and shaped by policy choices and ecosystem readiness rather than technology alone.
