Foreword: METI Advisory wrote this report for SEBA Bank AG. Abstract: During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the literature on digital regulations has focused on digital payment solutions, particularly, Global Stablecoins (GSCs) and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). It is reasonable to expect that the pandemic will lead to improved regulatory certainty, which would enable the speedy market entry of digital payment solutions. The advantages of contactless payments and digital banking solutions (web- or mobile phone-based) have emerged quite prominently in the current lockdown (characterised by limited mobility, social distancing, and contactless relationships). Yet, the fundamental opportunities for the development of GSC (i.e. inefficient cross-border payments and inclusion) and CBDC (i.e. de-materialisation of cash) have been recognised long before the pandemic. The renewed regulatory focus on digital payment solutions, due to the current pandemic, reminds us that such solutions depend on regulatory (or legal) certainty to see the light of day.
COVID-19 pandemic places digital payment regulation at centre stage (May 2020)
Mattia Rattaggi