CBDCs cannot have unlimited privacy – Canadian deputy governor

Timothy Lane says central banks should consider “hybrid privacy levels”

Tim Lane
Timothy Lane, deputy governor, Bank of Canada
Photo: Flickr/Bank of Canada

Any central bank-issued digital currency should have limits on how much anonymity it gives users, a senior Bank of Canada official argues.  

Speaking to Central Banking in a forthcoming interview, deputy governor Timothy Lane says there would need to be a trade-off in terms of privacy were a CBDC to act as a replacement or complement to cash.

“There is a dark side to privacy which is linked to cash,” Lane says. “A central bank would not be allowed to, and should not be considering, issuing a

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@centralbanking.com or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.centralbanking.com/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Central Banking? View our subscription options

Register for Central Banking

All fields are mandatory unless otherwise highlighted

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Central Banking account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account

.