While central banks across the globe have begun researching the possibility of introducing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), only three countries have officially launched one, and we still await one from a genuine world leader – aside from China piloting the digital Yuan with questionable levels of adoption. Instead of getting closer to any CBDCs launching anywhere in the world, we are seemingly getting further away – thanks to a plethora of delays and pauses put on CBDC projects. In a...

Many fintechs and financial institutions often make big claims that they can enhance support to the previously underserved, positively impact the environment, or improve people’s lives in many other ways. But often, firms fall short of these claims. To conclude our focus on ‘fintech for good’, The Fintech Times explores whether some firms are exploiting the concept. In September 2024, the Australian Federal Court imposed an AUD12.9million fine on Vanguard Investments Australia, after the...

While 134 countries and currency unions, representing 98 per cent of global GDP, are currently exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC), the Bank of Canada has revealed it is officially putting efforts to introduce a digital version of the Canadian dollar on pause. Since 2020, interest in CBDC potential across the globe has skyrocketed. In May 2020, only 35 countries were exploring the idea of a CBDC at all. Less than five years later, 66 countries are now in the advanced phase of...

2024 is proving another standout year for the regulatory space, finding itself under the spotlight, for better and worse reasons. This month, The Fintech Times will look at some of the biggest issues regarding compliance and financial rules, as well as the solutions hoping to ease the compliance journey for firms and make the fintech world fairer and safer. So far this month, The Fintech Times has focused on compliance. Whether it be the biggest challenges facing compliance teams or exploring...