Israel’s apex monetary
authority, the Bank of Israel, has listed several conditions that can speed up its
decision to launch the digital shekel (SHAKED), the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC). Issuance of CBDCs by other developed countries, especially the United States and the European Union (EU) tops the
list, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the central bank’s Steering Committee
on the Potential Issuance of a Digital Shekel.
Other conditions listed by the Committee,
which was created two years ago, include decline in the legitimate use of cash and
its acceptance in Israel, high adoption of stablecoins and other private means
of payment, continued segmental focus in the domestic payment system
and advancement in technology.
Although Israel started mulling over the launch of a CBDC as early as 2017, the Committee noted that the
bank has not yet reached a decision on whether to launch the digital shekel. It added that the
apex monetary authority is still preparing an action plan for the potential
issuance of SHAKED.
On the first condition, the
financial regulator explained that a decision by the United States, the European
Union or a significant number of other developed economies can spur its own decision. On the condition related to decreased acceptance of cash, the authority noted
that while cash remains a significant leger tender for consumer transactions in the country, “it is highly probable
that the use of cash as a means of payment will decline in the future.”
Furthermore, on the condition tied to
stablecoin, the monetary authority noted that there is currently no sign of
“substantial adoption” of stablecoins as a means of payment in the country.
However, it warned that significant adoption of this type of currency could
impair the payment system.
“A stablecoin that isn’t pegged
to the shekel might also harm the monetary transmission,” it added.
More Details on the Conditions
On the condition tied to the Israeli
domestic payment system, the Committee noted that it could recommend the launch of SHAKED to
boost competition in the country’s payment and financial system. The regulator explained that the country’s deposit market is dominated
by a small number of participants due to high entry barriers and leading other firms to concentrate majorly on other segments.
On the last point, the Committee
noted that it will be willing to recommend a digital shekel if “it would be
able to serve as an…
