Share this article

Thailand Already Using Central Bank's Digital Currency

Thailand's digital currency is backed by the central bank’s foreign currency reserves, which have grown by $25 billion over the past 12 months.

Updated Sep 14, 2021, 9:32 a.m. Published Jul 17, 2020, 10:29 a.m. 1 min read
Bangkok

A senior figure at the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has confirmed the bank is already using a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for transactions with some businesses.

  • Vachira Arromdee, the central bank's assistant governor, told reporters Wednesday it planned to expand the use of the digital currency among large businesses The Nation reported.
  • It's unclear what businesses are already using the digital currency; transactions with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will be conducted with the CBDC from September, Arromdee confirmed.
  • Thailand's CBDC is backed by the central bank's currency reserves; BOT data shows its foreign currency reserves have grown by more than $25 billion over the past 12 months.
  • Access to the general public, complete with a state-backed wallet provider, is currently under consideration.
  • Arromdee said the BOT recognized digital currencies could lower the costs of transactions but is also concerned about how that could disrupt the commercial banking sector.

See also: Thai Central Bank Taps Cement Company for First Digital Currency Payments

More For You

(CoinDesk)

The planned vehicle would be the largest XRP-focused digital asset treasury yet, even as investor appetite for token accumulation stocks has weakened after the recent crypto selloff.

What to know:

  • Ripple Labs is seeking to raise at least $1 billion via a special purpose acquisition company to create a public-market vehicle that will accumulate XRP.
  • The proposed XRP-focused digital asset treasury, to which Ripple would contribute some of its own holdings, would be the largest known XRP treasury vehicle if...