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65
result(s)
2021 Methods-of-Payment Survey Report
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-23
Christopher Henry,
Matthew Shimoda,
Julia Zhu
We present results from the 2021 Methods-of-Payment Survey, including updated payment shares. We highlight long-term trends and provide additional context for results with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Bank notes,
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
Digital currencies and fintech,
Financial services
JEL Code(s):
D,
D8,
D83,
E,
E4,
E41
The Relative Benefits and Risks of Stablecoins as a Means of Payment: A Case Study Perspective
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-21
Annetta Ho,
Sriram Darbha,
Yuliya Gorelkina,
Alejandro García
Our paper contributes to the discussion about the utility of stablecoins for retail payments through an objective, evidence-based approach that compares stablecoins with traditional retail payment methods. The paper also provides insights that could be useful in the design of central bank digital currencies.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Digital currencies and fintech,
Payment clearing and settlement systems
JEL Code(s):
D,
D7,
D78,
O,
O3,
O38
Stablecoins and Their Risks to Financial Stability
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-20
Cameron MacDonald,
Laura Zhao
What risks could stablecoins pose to the financial system? We argue that the stabilization mechanisms of stablecoins give rise to the risk of confidence runs, which can propagate to broader cryptoasset markets and the traditional financial sector. We also argue that stablecoins can contribute to financial stability risks by facilitating the buildup of leverage and liquidity mismatch in decentralized finance. Such risks cannot be addressed by ensuring the price stability of stablecoins alone. Finally, we explore the potential implications of stablecoins for the current system of bank-intermediated credit and for monetary policy.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Digital currencies and fintech,
Financial institutions,
Financial markets,
Financial stability,
Financial system regulation and policies
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E42,
E44,
E5,
E58,
G,
G2,
G23
Private Digital Cryptoassets as Investment? Bitcoin Ownership and Use in Canada, 2016-2021
Staff Working Paper 2022-44
Daniela Balutel,
Walter Engert,
Christopher Henry,
Kim Huynh,
Marcel Voia
We report on the dynamics of Bitcoin awareness and ownership from 2016 to 2021, using the Bank of Canada's Bitcoin Omnibus Surveys (BTCOS). Our analysis also helps understand Bitcoin owners who adopted during the COVID-19 and how they differ from long-term owners.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff working papers
Topic(s):
Bank notes,
Digital currencies and fintech,
Econometric and statistical methods
JEL Code(s):
C,
C1,
C12,
E,
E4,
O,
O5,
O51
Grasping De(centralized) Fi(nance) Through the Lens of Economic Theory
Staff Working Paper 2022-43
Jonathan Chiu,
Charles M. Kahn,
Thorsten Koeppl
We analyze the value proposition and limitations of decentralized finance (DeFi). Based on a distributed ledger and smart contracts, DeFi can guarantee the execution of financial contracts, potentially lowering the costs of intermediation and improving financial inclusion.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff working papers
Topic(s):
Digital currencies and fintech,
Payment clearing and settlement systems
JEL Code(s):
G,
G2
Archetypes for a retail CBDC
Staff Analytical Note 2022-14
Sriram Darbha
A variety of technology designs could support retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) systems. We develop five archetypes of CBDC systems, outline their characteristics and discuss their trade-offs. This work serves as a framework to analyze and compare different designs, independent of vendor, platform and implementation.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff analytical notes
Topic(s):
Central bank research,
Digital currencies and fintech
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E42,
E5,
E51,
O,
O3
Cash, COVID-19 and the Prospects for a Canadian Digital Dollar
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-17
Walter Engert,
Kim Huynh
We provide an analysis of cash trends in Canada before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also consider the potential two scenarios for issuance of a central bank digital currency in Canada: the emergence of a cashless society or the widespread use of an alternative digital currency in Canada. Finally, we discuss the Canadian experience in maintaining cash as an efficient and accessible method of payment and store of value.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Bank notes,
Central bank research,
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
Digital currencies and fintech,
Econometric and statistical methods
JEL Code(s):
C,
C1,
C12,
C9,
E,
E4,
O,
O5,
O54
Cash in the Pocket, Cash in the Cloud: Cash Holdings of Bitcoin Owners
Staff Working Paper 2022-26
Daniela Balutel,
Christopher Henry,
Kim Huynh,
Marcel Voia
We estimate the effect that owning Bitcoin has on the amount of cash held by Canadian consumers. Our results question the view that adopting certain new technologies, such as Bitcoin, leads to a decline in cash holdings.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff working papers
Topic(s):
Bank notes,
Digital currencies and fintech,
Econometric and statistical methods
JEL Code(s):
C,
C1,
C12,
E,
E4,
O,
O3,
O33,
O5,
O51
Settlement Balances Deconstructed
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-13
Parnell Chu,
Grahame Johnson,
Scott Kinnear,
Karen McGuinness,
Matthew McNeely
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, public interest in the Bank’s balance sheet and, more specifically, the size of settlement balances, has grown. This paper deconstructs the concept of settlement balances and provides some context on their history, current state and possible future evolution.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Central bank research,
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
Financial markets,
Monetary policy implementation
JEL Code(s):
E,
E5,
E58,
E59,
E6,
G,
G0,
G01