Digital currencies

As the Federal Reserve continues to explore issuing a digital U.S. dollar, the Biden administration and key congressional leaders are endorsing the idea as a way to expand banking access for underserved consumers.

Governments are digitizing money, creating a need for banks to provide rails to connect consumers and central banks.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said a digital version of the dollar could help address hurdles to financial inclusion in the U.S. among low-income households.

It would be misguided to expect cash-like features of a central bank digital currency, according to one of the monetary authorities furthest ahead in exploring such a system.

New technological innovations, consumer behavior shifts, competition from fresh digital entrants, and regulatory reforms herald the payment environment of tomorrow. In addition, the current pandemic is pushing players to rethink their market fundamentals in an already transitioning industry. Join John Adams, Executive Editor of PaymentsSource and our special guest, Andrew Jamison a virtual card expert with twelve plus years at American Express and CEO & Co-Founder of Extend, in a discussion about the business strategy, management, and innovations in the post pandemic ecosystem and how it can serve the way the economy is headed.

Virtual worlds, built for gaming or social interaction, are still trying to turn their digital economies into something real. Crypto regulation could be a hurdle.

I look forward to seeing digital currencies brighten up our antiquated banking infrastructure and embrace the global move toward e-commerce. For now, though, I’m not holding my breath, says T1 Payments' Donald Kasdon.

Join Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square as he offers his insights into where the Fintech industry is headed next year. Will a Biden administration insist on greater regulation? What will happen in the cryptocurrency markets? What will be the big IPOs in the sector? Will GooglePlex make a big splash? What new technologies or applications should we be expecting?

They're among a handful of companies willing to hold clients' digital assets for safekeeping. Many of their peers balk at the reputational and financial risks.

From brokering insurance contracts to financial settlements, smart contracts could bring immense innovation to CBDCs that otherwise would act as little more than an augmented medium of exchange, says Cypherium's Sky Guo.