Browse all research or check out these related conferences.
Understanding the benefits and risks of digital currencies and electronic payments is important because new technologies and new players could affect the financial system. This in turn could influence how we work to fulfill our core functions. For this reason, we closely monitor fintech developments.
The Bank is conducting research related to a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This is part of its contingency planning to be ready to issue a CBDC in the future if the need were to arise.
Research by Bank staff is produced independently from the Bank’s Governing Council. It may therefore differ from official Bank views. The views expressed in research papers are solely those of the authors. No responsibility for them should be attributed to the Bank.
Latest research
The impact of a central bank digital currency on payments at the point of sale
Staff Analytical Note 2024-27
Walter Engert,
Oleksandr Shcherbakov,
André Stenzel
We simulate the impact of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) on consumer adoption, merchant acceptance and use of different payment methods. Modest frictions that deter consumer adoption of a CBDC inhibit its market penetration. Minor pricing responses by financial institutions and payment service providers further reduce the impact of a CBDC.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff analytical notes
Topic(s):
Bank notes,
Digital currencies and fintech,
Econometric and statistical methods,
Financial services
JEL Code(s):
C,
C5,
C51,
D,
D1,
D12,
E,
E4,
E42,
L,
L1,
L14,
L5,
L52
Familiarity with Crypto and Financial Concepts: Cryptoasset Owners, Non-Owners, and Gender Differences
Staff Working Paper 2024-48
Daniela Balutel,
Walter Engert,
Christopher Henry,
Kim Huynh,
Doina Rusu,
Marcel Voia
Measuring cryptoasset knowledge alongside financial knowledge enhances our understanding of individuals' decisions to purchase cryptoassets. This paper uses microdata from the Bank of Canada’s Bitcoin Omnibus Survey to examine gender differences and the interrelationship between crypto and financial knowledge through an empirical joint analysis.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff working papers
Topic(s):
Central bank research,
Digital currencies and fintech,
Econometric and statistical methods
JEL Code(s):
C,
C8,
C81,
D,
D1,
D14,
D9,
D91,
G,
G5,
G53,
O,
O5,
O51
The Consumer Value Proposition for a Hypothetical Digital Canadian Dollar
Staff Discussion Paper 2024-16
Martine Warren,
Bill Laur,
Ted Garanzotis,
Sebastian Hernandez
We explore the consumer value proposition of a hypothetical Digital Canadian Dollar, adoption considerations and the users who would benefit most from this potential new payment method. We employ a design-thinking consultation methodology, allowing participants to interact with research prototypes of increasing complexity to reveal user preferences, constraints and adoption influences.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Accessibility,
Bank notes,
Central bank research,
Digital currencies and fintech
JEL Code(s):
C,
C9,
D,
D1,
D12,
E,
E4,
E42,
E5,
E58,
O,
O3,
O33
Latest conferences
November 19, 2015
Bank of Canada Conference held on November 19 and 20, 2015.
Electronic Money and Payments
Content Type(s):
Conferences and workshops
Topic(s):
Digital currencies and fintech
October 26, 2015
Bank of Canada Conference held on October 26, 2015.
Payments System Modernization: Opportunities & Challenges
Content Type(s):
Conferences and workshops
Topic(s):
Digital currencies and fintech