Signup to the Newsletter

About

Elegant & curated articles by Omar M Almahmoud, selected from his daily writings and reading list in life, business and self improvement. All republished articles are owned by their original authors. The articles are reblogged here under Fair Use for educational and non commercial purposes.

Why the UAE Central Bank should adopt a Central Bank Digital Dirham by Omar M. Almahmoud

As the world progresses, so too does technology. With new technological advancements come new opportunities—including the opportunity for the UAE to become a leader in the digital currency space. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are a type of digital currency that is issued and regulated by a country’s central bank. CBDCs have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with money and conduct transactions. Here are four reasons why the UAE Central Bank should consider implementing a CBDC Dirham but before that let us introduce what is a CBDC

A Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is a type of digital currency that is issued by a central bank. CBDCs are equivalent to regular fiat currencies and can be used to make electronic payments. They are designed to replace physical cash and can be used in a similar way to regular bank deposits. 

Unlike Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, CBDCs are not decentralized but are instead centrally controlled by their issuing authority. This means that their supply and value are managed by the central bank in order to maintain price stability. CBDCs are also often designed to be backed by reserves of traditional fiat currency, making them much less volatile than cryptocurrencies. 

The reasons why the UAE Central Bank should adopt a CBDC Dirham can be summarized as follows

1. Increased Efficiency 

One of the main benefits of CBDCs is that they have the potential to make transactions more efficient. Currently, when we make a cross-border payment, it can take days for the funds to clear. With CBDCs, those payments could be processed in real-time, which would be a major boom for businesses operating in multiple countries.

2. Improved monetary policy

A CBDC could give the UAE Central Bank greater flexibility in implementing monetary policy. For example, it could allow for more targeted stimulus measures during periods of economic downturn.

3. Reduced risk of crime

A CBDC could help to reduce crime by making it more difficult to launder money or finance criminal activities. This is because all transactions would be recorded on a blockchain, which is a transparent and immutable digital ledger.

4. Set the UAE apart from other countries 

Finally, implementing a CBDC would allow the UAE to set itself apart from other countries. The UAE has always been a leaders in innovation, and implementation of a CBDC would continue that tradition. Being an early adopter of new technology comes with risks, but it also comes with rewards—including the potential to gain a competitive advantage over other countries.

How could CBDC be implemented in the UAE?

There are several ways in which CBDC could be implemented in the UAE. One option would be for the UAE Central Bank to issue a national digital currency that would be available to all residents and businesses. Another option would be to issue a digital currency specifically for use by banks and other financial institutions. This second option would have the benefit of reducing costs and increasing efficiency in the banking sector, as well as providing increased opportunities for monetary policy interventions.

Closing Thoughts

The world is evolving and with it, so too must our financial system. Central bank digital currencies have the potential to revolutionize how we interact with money and conduct transactions. They could also help increase efficiency, improve financial inclusion, and set the UAE apart from other countries. For these reasons, the UAE should consider implementing a CBDC.