Nepal Looks to Launch Digital Currency as Central Bank Approves Study

Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are the latest buzz among central banks and Nepal is looking to ride the wave to create a digital version of its national currency.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the country’s central bank, has proposed a revision to legislation governing its powers and responsibilities, allowing it to explore the possibilities of a CBDC, reports The Kathmandu Post.

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Act 2002 has no provision for the central bank to create a digital currency, as only paper notes and coins are allowed.

Revati Nepal, a senior executive at the bank, noted that a task force has been created, charged with the duty of drafting an amendment to the legislation to allow the NRB to issue digital currencies. “After internal discussions, we will send the bill to the government to table it in Parliament,” said Revati.

Plans of launching a CBDC had been in the works prior to the creation of the task force. Revati spearheaded a team that carried out a survey of the feasibility of a CBDC and reported that it was a viable venture but noted that some economic considerations will be factored in.

On the technical side of things, Revati suggested that the NRB will use a separate digital wallet for digital banking transactions to be carried out and will “explore interoperability” with payment service providers.

Nepal in no rush

Compared to the breakneck speed of CBDC development in countries like Nigeria and the Bahamas. The country is choosing to concern itself with the creation of proper infrastructure to support the leap toward CBDCs.

“Cybersecurity must be considered before introducing digital currencies,” said Prakash Kumar Shrestha, head of economic research at NRB. “We have to strengthen our cybersecurity before taking a step forward in the digitalization of currency.”

Nepal amplified Shrestha’s comments by stating that the NRB will not “take unnecessary risks by rushing into introducing digital currency.” 

Learning from the forerunners

Financial experts in Nepal are advising the regulators to steal a page from other jurisdictions that have launched their own CBDCs. India, its southern neighbor, has made giant strides and there are calls for Nepal to observe India’s progress.

China, another neighboring country, has reached an advanced stage with its digital yuan while other Asian nations are at various stages of their CBDC development.

The data shows that Nepal is ripe for a CBDC as its electronic banking is rising at a frenetic pace with billions of dollars in transactions being settled in the last 11 months, according to The Kathmandu Post.

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