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Cuba's digital currency is set to revolutionize the way people access and use money, especially for those living in rural areas or without access to traditional banking services.
The new digital currency will allow users to make transactions using their mobile phones, eliminating the need for cash or credit cards.
This is a game-changer for Cuba's economy, as it will increase financial inclusion and access to services for millions of people.
Cuba's Digital Currency Plans
Cuba's Communist government is studying the potential use of cryptocurrency as part of a series of measures to boost its economy amid a deepening crisis.
The government aims to raise national production and demand to boost growth, as US sanctions target tourism and foreign investment.
Cryptocurrency has been used in the past to get around capital controls, and Cuba's top ally Venezuela introduced a cryptocurrency last year to avoid US sanctions and weather hyperinflation.
Economy Minister Alejandro Gil Fernandez said the government is working on the details of the implementation, including studying the potential use of cryptocurrency in national and international commercial transactions.
The government is also broadening measures to decentralize and improve state-run company performance, stimulate local production, and increase exports.
A system allowing some companies to keep a percentage of hard currency they earn is being expanded, and state companies will receive a percentage of sales in hard currency.
The government is also studying how to allow small private businesses to export through state-run businesses.
Cubans are growing in number, and the introduction of mobile internet three years ago paved the way for cryptocurrency transactions in Cuba.
The central bank is creating a cryptocurrency-friendly legal framework, which is a significant step towards enabling cryptocurrency activity in the country.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has always been a supporter of cryptocurrencies, seeing them as a tool to end the US dollar's oppression.
The government is not planning to adopt bitcoin as its currency of choice, but rather focus on enabling remittances and international foreign trade operations.
Cuban Central Bank's Role
Cuba's central bank is likely to play a crucial role in the implementation of a digital currency, as it would be responsible for overseeing the financial system and ensuring that the new currency is integrated smoothly.
The central bank would need to work closely with academics to develop the technical aspects of the digital currency.
The Cuban government is already studying the potential use of cryptocurrency as part of its economic crisis measures, so it's likely that the central bank would be involved in this process.
The central bank would need to establish a system for regulating and supervising the use of digital currency, to prevent any potential risks or abuses.
The government's plan to establish financial service companies to provide cash quickly would likely involve the central bank, as it would need to oversee the distribution of funds.
The central bank would also need to ensure that the digital currency is compatible with the existing financial system, and that it can be used for both domestic and international transactions.
The Cuban government's aim to boost national production and demand would likely involve the central bank, as it would need to provide support for small private businesses and state companies to access hard currency.
The central bank would need to work with the government to establish a system for allowing small private businesses to export through state-run businesses.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and is decentralized, meaning it's not controlled by any government or financial institution.
Cuba has been exploring the concept of a digital currency, and it's likely to be based on blockchain technology.
The benefits of cryptocurrency include lower transaction fees and faster processing times compared to traditional payment methods.
Cuba's digital currency will be pegged to the US dollar, making it a stable store of value.
Cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on a public ledger called a blockchain, which allows for transparency and accountability.
The Cuban government is working to establish a digital currency that can be used for everyday transactions.
Sources
- https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/cuba-studying-cryptocurrency-part-economic-crisis-measures
- https://decrypt.co/68676/cuba-cryptocurrency-communist-party-agenda
- https://www.cubastandard.com/cuban-central-bank-officially-recognizes-crypto-currencies/
- https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/cuba-authorizes-and-seeks-to-regulate-cryptocurrency-use
- https://bitcoinist.com/cubas-central-bank-announces-digital-asset/
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