Asia-Pacific
Central banks more likely to use software-based cloud services
Cloud widely used for cyber security and other applications
Half of planned CBDCs designed to be programmable
Two-thirds of wholesale CBDCs likely to be programmable
Most central banks without CBDC mandate engaged in retail projects
Only one in three banks has a legal mandate for CBDC issuance, but many are still working on digital currency
China to focus more on consumption, says PBoC governor
Pan Gongsheng wants domestic demand to be “key driver of growth”
American central banks less likely to struggle with fintech recruitment
But American banks face toughest battle for talent retention
China to make use of all monetary tools to boost growth
PBoC flags external volatility and renews pledge to support economy in quarterly report
Fintechs more likely to be licensed in upper-middle income countries
Licence issue rate across central banks broadly unchanged year on year
Philippines unexpectedly pauses easing cycle
BSP would have continued cutting if not for “uncertainty over trade policy”, governor says
Cyber, suptech and CBDCs are top areas for fintech research
Central banks with fintech strategy more likely to prioritise CBDCs
BoJ governor: food inflation in Japan may not be temporary
Ueda’s comments mark slight change from previous statements that supply factors would dissipate
Cyber security and legacy systems still greatest technology challenges
But concerns differ by central banks’ CBDC mandate
Central banks lacking fintech unit less likely to have a strategy
Respondents’ strategic priorities include digitalisation, regulations, collaborations and others
PBoC appoints Zou Lan as deputy governor
Former monetary policy department head will become youngest member of China’s central bank board
Four in five central banks lack chief fintech officers
Centralised fintech teams more likely to have chief fintech officers
Thailand resumes selection process for central bank chair
Position on BoT board set to be filled after months-long delay caused by political dispute
Bank of Japan official reaffirms rate hike path
BoJ’s journey to policy normalisation continues as wage growth stays strong
Trump’s tariff threats fuel corporate FX hedging revamp
Treasurers mull options and longer-dated hedges in face of mixed signals on extent and timing of measures
Singapore eases monetary policy for first time since 2020
Central bank slows exchange rate appreciation as core inflation falls and trade concerns loom
Bank Indonesia’s YouTube channel hacked
Hackers streamed bitcoin-related content before page was restored
China tells insurers and mutual funds to buy more stocks
Regulators, including PBoC, provide new instructions to boost domestic equities market
Privacy and security seen as greatest AI risks
Larger risk teams more likely to provide training to staff on risk types