BIS - Payments are Changing, But Cash Still Rules

Below I have pasted in the April newsletter I receive by email from the Bank for International Settlements. Of note in this issue is a video discussion that points out that despite all the talk we hear about a "cashless society", we are far from that being a reality today.

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April 2018

Central bank digital currencies  Central banks must carefully weigh the implications for financial stability, monetary policy and payments systems of issuing digital currencies, according to the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures and the Markets Committee.

Volatility is back  Volatility returned to markets, puncturing a long period of unusual calm and highlighting the difficulties in normalising monetary policies. Minimum capital requirements for market risk The Basel Committee is proposing revisions to minimum capital requirements for banks’ trading activities.

Payments are a-changin' but cash still rules Demand for cash has risen in many advanced economies following the Great Financial Crisis, even though consumers are using cards or contactless payment options more often.

Common lenders in emerging Asia: their changing roles in three crises Shifting sources of international finance - from Japanese banks in the 1990s to European banks in the 2000s, with a growing role for Chinese banks today - have affected how economic shocks could be transmitted worldwide.