The implications for China and the world of eCNY

In this Focus we detail what is known about how China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) will operate, when it will launch, what the People’s Bank is trying to achieve, and whether it will succeed. One conclusion is that the launch of eCNY will do nothing to relax the constraints that have prevented the renminbi being widely adopted in international trade or as a reserve currency. Indeed, we argue that the People’s Bank will have to compel eCNY’s use for it even to take off within China.