DEA Quarterly Insights: Shaping the Future of Digital Money | Q2 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of the Digital Euro Association's Quarterly Insights! 

This comprehensive blog post presents a concise overview of our association's activities and achievements over the past three months. As we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital money, this summary highlights our strides in promoting financial innovation, fostering education, and exploring groundbreaking initiatives.

Join us on this exciting journey as we delve into the key milestones and accomplishments that shape the future of digital money!

New Members 

In Q2 2024, the DEA welcomed the Lithuanian Investors Association and the Nordic Blockchain Association as its newest strategic members.

The Lithuanian Investors Association (LIA) is an autonomous organization committed to promoting the interests of both individual and collective investors to ensure fair and efficient market conditions.

The Nordic Blockchain Association (NBA) is a nonprofit organization facilitating the largest professional web3 network in the Nordics. NBA unites thought leaders and businesses through memberships, regulatory work, and events.

Distinguished People and Public Affairs

Deutscher Bundestag (German Parliament)

Our board members meet regularly with Deutscher Bundestag (German Parliament) members to discuss the actual developments on the digital euro. Lately, Anne-Sophie Gógl met with Jens Zimmermann, an SPD member of the Deutscher Bundestag. 

As a member of the Committee for Digital Affairs, the Finance Committee, and the Committee according to § 28a of the Money Laundering Act, he is very involved and has great knowledge about the latest discussion points around the digital euro.

Valentin Seehausen (left) and Anne-Sophie Gógl (right) 

Dutch National Bank (DNB)

Dr. Jonas Gross and Anne-Sophie Gógl from the DEA Board had the pleasure of meeting with the Dutch National Bank (DNB)'s digital euro division, represented by Menno Broos, among others. This insightful gathering allowed them to present the DEA’s perspective on a digital euro and a broader vision of its potential to revolutionize the ecosystem of payment and digital currency. 

Following introductions and an initial exchange of ideas, the discussion delved into the fundamental topics of privacy, open-source development, and the innovation potential of the digital euro. It was encouraging to observe the DNB's focus on privacy and the functionality of offline payments, which they regard as essential features of a digital euro. This alignment with the DEA's objectives enabled a meaningful exchange of ideas and perspectives.

To further this conversation, they shared the DEA white paper on privacy, setting the stage for more in-depth discussions in the future. This direct engagement with the DNB digital euro team is invaluable, as it ensures that the DEA members' voices are heard at the highest levels.

Deutsche Bundesbank (German Central Bank)

The DEA team had the pleasure of meeting with Board Member Burkhard Balz and Payment Expert Heike Winter from the Deutsche Bundesbank (German Central Bank). The central topic of our discussion was the digital euro.

We appreciated the open exchange and the willingness to collaborate more closely. It was particularly encouraging to see the Bundesbank's strong commitment to privacy and their growing interest in open-source technologies - both of which are key priorities for DEA.

We are grateful for the fruitful dialogue and the opportunity to share our perspectives. We firmly believe that advancing the payments space requires collaborative efforts where the insights of all stakeholders are valued.

Dr. Jonas Gross (left), Heike Winter (center-left), Burkhard Balz (center-right) and Anne-Sophie Gógl (right) 

DEA Publications

MiCAR's Influence on Stablecoins: Industry Insights and Implications

In a significant contribution to the conversation surrounding current and future regulations, the Digital Euro Association released a comprehensive analysis titled "MiCAR's Influence on Stablecoins: Industry Insights and Implications" in June. The paper presents a thorough assessment of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation's (MiCAR) effects on the stablecoin ecosystem within the European Union.

Our investigation furnished intricate details on how MiCAR may serve as both a magnet and a deterrent for stablecoin issuers considering the EU as a potential market, propelling us towards extensive and imminent changes in the regulatory framework. The publication collates the collective wisdom of various experts in digital finance, including perspectives from many stakeholders involved in stablecoin issuance and regulation.

March to April Working Group Sessions

Preceding the release of this pivotal paper, a dedicated working group sat from March to May 2024 to ensure that the DEA's contributions were bolstered by in-depth discussions and deliberations among industry experts. This collaborative effort enabled us to integrate a diverse array of professional insights into our final recommendations.

We will continue to monitor the outcomes of MiCAR and its implementation closely to remain at the forefront of digital currency education and advocacy.

To access the full insights from the DEA's latest publication, stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to download the detailed report and benefit from the strategic guidance provided therein.

To listen to the podcast episode discussing the publication further: https://dea-podcast.podigee.io/63. 

DEA Events 

Navigating the Intersection of the European Digital Identity Wallet and the Digital Euro

In the recent DEA online panel "Navigating the Intersection of the European Digital Identity Wallet and the Digital Euro," experts discuss the latest developments of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW) and the Digital Euro, touching upon the relevance of the Digital Euro and EUDIW to the banking sector, privacy concerns, and the potential impact on anonymity and security. The speakers ​Dr. Cyrus de la Rubia (Chief Economist & Head of Research, Hamburg Commercial Bank), ​Dr. Johannes Sedlmeir (Postdoctoral researcher, SnT), Dr. Matthew Niemerg (Co-Founder, Aleph Zero) and Andreas Wand (Business Development Manager, Bundesdruckerei) also debate the differences between the two systems in terms of infrastructure, technology, and functionality, as well as the current status and timeline of their implementation. The intersection of public and private sectors, the importance of real applications and partnerships, and the security concerns surrounding the systems are also discussed.

Watch the webinar 👇 

Industry 4.0: The Era of Digital Dollars and Data-driven Transactions

In May 2024, Valentin Kalinov discussed Industry 4.0 together with panelists Ji Zheng (Infineon), Maximilian Maischein (DZ BANK), Gregg Bell (The HBAR Foundation) and Allan Pedersen (Eurodollar).

The panel explored the current state of digital money adoption within the industry, noting how industries are beginning to embrace digital currencies to streamline transactions, reduce costs, and enhance transparency. Despite significant progress, widespread adoption is still in its early stages due to regulatory challenges and the need for robust infrastructure.

Watch the webinar 👇 

DEA Techy Tuesday | Episode 6 - The Galactic Grid: Bringing Order to Chaos – An Introduction to Chavanette’s CBDC Technology Knowledge Base

In June 2024, Tamara F Schmidt interviewed Hubert Knapp and Michael Watanabe (Chavanette Advisors) about the Galactic Grid.

The Galactic Grid is an innovative framework designed to bring order to the complex world of CBDC technology and infrastructure. They looked into how the Galactic Grid works, what it means for the future of CBDC technology and infrastructure, and its effects on the CBDC ecosystem. They also examined how it fits into Chavanette's CBDC Technology Knowledge Base.

Watch the episode 👇

Events DEA attended

In the month of April, DEA had the opportunity to participate in the following events:

• Istanbul Fintech Week
  Presentation: CBDCs, Where to from Here; MiCA explorations

• Coinfinity 10 Year Anniversary
  Debate on Bitcoin vs. Digitaler Euro – Marc Friedrich & Sarah Palurovic
  
  Watch the debate 👇

• Inaugural conference of the ChaMP (Challenges for Monetary Policy Transmission in a Changing World) Research Network. This conference marked the launch of the ChaMP Research Network, which focuses on challenges for monetary policy transmission, amid unprecedented shocks, structural changes and shifting inflation dynamics. 

Isabel Schnabel, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB) since 2020, responsible for Market Operations, Research and Statistics. 

May:

• BIS Innovation Summit 2024. The DEA board members Dr. Jonas Gross and Anne-Sophie Gógl had a fantastic chance to engage in the BIS Summit Innovation, delving into discussions about privacy and compliance within technological advancements.

Anne-Sophie Gógl (left) and Dr. Jonas Gross (right) 

• CREOBIS Webinar
  Panel Discussion: Getting Ready for the Digital Euro
  
  
• 3I Africa Summit
  Panel Discussion: Africa's CBDC Experiment: Unveiling the Lessons from Pilot Deployments
  
  
• International Investor's Conference - Shaping the Future of Finance
  Panel Discussion: Crypto Assets – Legitimate Investments or Consumer Threats?

June:

• Nordic Blockchain Conference
  Panel Discussion: wCBDC & Interoperability
  Roundtable: The Future of Banking and Payments: Bridging Traditional Finance (TradFi) with Decentralised Finance (DeFi), and Regenerative Finance (ReFi)
  
  
• Emerging Tech Summit
  Panel Discussion: The Case for CBDCs and Cross-Border Settlements
  
  
• 4th Blockchain Roundtable at the Deutscher Bundestag (Germany Parliament), organized by the FDP Freie Demokraten. Experts from the German blockchain landscape came together at the invitation of Frank Schäffler and his team to discuss the implications of the technology for the legislative body.

Anne-Sophie Gógl (left), Atakan Kavuklu (center), and Lena Grale (right) 

DEA Videos

Digital Euro Conference 2024

What lies ahead for the future of money? As our economy and payment systems go increasingly digital, we're witnessing the emergence of new forms of money: central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), stablecoins, and commercial bank money tokens (CBMTs).

Central banks worldwide are exploring CBDCs and the rise of CBMTs could revolutionize the industry, leading to a coexistence of various forms of public and private money in the future financial landscape.

The Digital Euro Conference 2024 (#DEC24) took place in Frankfurt on February 29th, uniting central bankers, financial sector and industry experts, technology providers, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs. This event delved into the latest trends in CBDCs, stablecoins, and CBMTs, offering a glimpse into what the future of money will look like.

Read the recap here: https://blog.digital-euro-association.de/the-digital-euro-conference-2024-a-recap 

Watch all DEC24 presentations and panel discussions 👇

YouTube Playlist Link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDuR9dBd6S5qmphzm39S8OOnailGyZBt5&si=ZDRvZKtZMyMo9rg5 

DEA Podcast

Democracy Issues of the Digitized Financial Sector

In this episode, we are joined by Caroline Marburger, a specialist in science communication for the discourse project "Democracy Issues of the Digitalised Financial Sector" (eFin & Democracy) at the Centre Responsible Digitality (ZEVEDI). The ZEVEDI is a research network that combines the scientific expertise of researchers from Hessian universities to analyze digital transformation's ethical and legal dimensions. eFin & Democracy is an innovative project that uses events and various media formats to stimulate a broad discussion among citizens, experts, companies, and politicians on the socio-political aspects of digital finance. In its first two years, the project focused on the role of CBDCs and in particular, on the possible introduction of the digital euro.

Listen to the episode here: https://dea-podcast.podigee.io/61-new-episode 

MiCAR's Influence on Stablecoins: Industry Insights and Implications

In this episode, the DEA working group chairs dive into their newly published paper on MiCAR's influence on stablecoins. They explore regulatory considerations, benefits, risks, and use cases for stablecoins and the impact of MiCAR on these. The discussion also includes a series of recommendations aimed at policymakers, providing strategic insights into navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.

Listen to the episode here: https://dea-podcast.podigee.io/63 

The DEA remains committed to pioneering the future of digital money, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision of a digitally empowered world. As we look ahead to the next quarter, we are excited to embark on new endeavors, expand our horizons, and continue making a positive impact. Thank you for being a part of our journey!

⏪ Previous Edition: https://blog.digital-euro-association.de/dea-quarterly-insights-q1-2024 

⏩ Next Edition: https://blog.digital-euro-association.de/dea-quarterly-insights-q3-2024