Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) have emerged as a prominent topic in the financial world. They promise elevated stability, security, efficiency, and reduced corruption. Central banks, the International Monetary Fund, the World Economic Forum, and the World Bank tell us CBDCs are a panacea waiting to cure all that ails our financial system.
Unfortunately, those claims may not match reality, because there are two characteristics of CBDCs that their proponents don’t often mention. First, they offer an eternal trail of data about how you’re spending your money. Secondly, they are subject to “programmability,” which means political leaders will have the ability to dictate whether you’re even allowed to spend your money.
Dr. Patrick Schueffel is an adjunct professor at Fribourg’s School of Management in Switzerland. His research focuses on fintech, digital assets, and entrepreneurship. He previously worked in Switzerland and Liechtenstein as the chief operating officer at Saxo Bank and as a member of senior management at Credit Suisse, and spent a three-year stint in Singapore. He holds a doctorate from the University of Reading’s Henley Business School, a master’s degree from the Norwegian School of Economics, and a diploma from Mannheim University in Germany.