Designing a CBDC for universal access
If the Bank of Canada issues a central bank digital currency, the technology should be designed for universal access.
Browse Bank of Canada research by keyword, author, content type, JEL code, theme or date of publication.
Content older than 10 years is available on the Bank’s Open Access Repository.
Receive notification by email whenever new research is added to the website.
54
result(s)
Is Central Bank Currency Fundamental to the Monetary System?
Staff discussion paper 2020-2
Hanna Armelius,
Carl Andreas Claussen,
Scott Hendry
In this paper, we discuss whether the ability of individuals to convert commercial bank money (i.e., bank deposits) into central bank money is fundamentally important for the monetary system.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E41,
E42,
E5
Research Theme(s):
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes,
Digital assets and fintech,
Payment and financial market infrastructures
A Uniform Currency in a Cashless Economy
Staff analytical note 2020-7
Walter Engert,
Ben Fung
A number of questions can arise when considering the implications of a cashless society. This note considers whether cash is necessary for a uniform currency.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff analytical notes
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E41,
E42,
E5
Research Theme(s):
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes,
Digital assets and fintech,
Payment and financial market infrastructures
2018 Merchant Acceptance Survey
Staff analytical note 2019-31
Kim Huynh,
Gradon Nicholls,
Mitchell Nicholson
In 2015, the Bank of Canada surveyed merchants and found that cash was nearly universally accepted (Fung, Huynh and Kosse 2017). Since 2015, retail payments in Canada have become increasingly digitalized, as many Canadians have adopted digital payment innovations like contactless cards and Interac e-Transfer.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff analytical notes
JEL Code(s):
C,
C8,
D,
D2,
D22,
E,
E4,
L,
L2
Research Theme(s):
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes,
Retail payments
2018 Bitcoin Omnibus Survey: Awareness and Usage
Staff discussion paper 2019-10
Christopher Henry,
Kim Huynh,
Gradon Nicholls,
Mitchell Nicholson
The Bank of Canada continues to use the Bitcoin Omnibus Survey (BTCOS) to monitor trends in Canadians’ awareness, ownership and use of Bitcoin. The most recent iteration was conducted in late 2018, following an 85 percent decline in the price of Bitcoin throughout the year.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
JEL Code(s):
C,
C1,
C12,
E,
E4,
O,
O5,
O51
Research Theme(s):
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes,
Digital assets and fintech
Cashless Bank Branches in Canada
Staff analytical note 2019-29
Walter Engert,
Ben Fung
Cashless or tellerless bank branches have proliferated in several countries in recent years. In a cashless bank branch, teller or counter services such as cash withdrawals, deposits and cheque-cashing are not available.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff analytical notes
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E41,
E42,
E5,
E51
Research Theme(s):
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes,
Digital assets and fintech,
Retail payments
A Tale of Two Countries: Cash Demand in Canada and Sweden
Staff discussion paper 2019-7
Walter Engert,
Ben Fung,
Björn Segendorf
Cash use for payments has been steadily decreasing in many countries, including Canada and Sweden. This might suggest an evolution toward a cashless society. But in Canada, cash in circulation relative to GDP has been stable for decades and has even increased in recent years. By contrast, the cash-to-GDP ratio in Sweden has been falling steadily. What has caused this difference? Are there lessons to be learned from comparing the Canadian and Swedish experiences?
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E41,
E42,
E5
Research Theme(s):
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes,
Payment and financial market infrastructures,
Retail payments
Explaining Unusual Cash Patterns in 2018
Staff analytical note 2019-22
Walter Engert,
Ben Fung,
Jozsef Molnar,
Gradon Nicholls
There was an unusually large decline of bank notes in circulation in October 2018. Some have argued that this was due to the legalization of cannabis in Canada in mid-October.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff analytical notes
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E41,
E42,
E5,
E58
Research Theme(s):
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes
Privacy as a Public Good: A Case for Electronic Cash
Staff working paper 2019-24
Rodney J. Garratt,
Maarten van Oordt
Cash gives users a high level of privacy when making payments, but the use of cash to make payments is declining. People increasingly use debit cards, credit cards or other methods to pay.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff working papers
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E42,
G,
G2,
G28
Research Theme(s):
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes,
Digital assets and fintech,
Retail payments
Crypto ‘Money’: Perspective of a Couple of Canadian Central Bankers
Staff discussion paper 2019-1
James Chapman,
Carolyn A. Wilkins
The market for cryptoassets has exploded in size in the 10 years since bitcoin was launched. The technology underlying cryptoassets, blockchain, has also been held up as a technology that promises to transform entire industries.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E41,
E42,
E5,
E51,
E58,
H,
H4,
P,
P4,
P43
Research Theme(s):
Monetary policy,
Monetary policy framework and transmission,
Money and payments,
Cash and bank notes,
Digital assets and fintech,
Payment and financial market infrastructures