Shaping a safer and more accessible payments system in South America

The payments landscape is changing rapidly and central banks are faced with the choice of whether they want to launch their own digital currencies. Uruguay’s experience with its e-Peso pilot project offers valuable insights for central banks looking to make that choice.

Adolfo Sarmiento, head of economic policy and markets from Banco Central del Uruguay, joins OMFIF to discuss central bank digital currency research as a necessary step for innovation in payments. We will discuss different models for the technical design and features of a CBDC, including the role of digital wallets and mobile devices. Sarmiento will also share insights from the e-Peso’s testing phase, including key lessons from the bank’s token-based pilot for instant and offline settlement.