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Bank of Canada among central banks studying use of digital currencies

Click to play video: 'Bank of Canada to assess digital currencies with world’s central banks'
Bank of Canada to assess digital currencies with world’s central banks
WATCH: The Bank of Canada is joining other international central banks to study the benefits of introducing cryptocurrencies as more people turn to electronic payments. Mike Le Couteur explains the growing influence of digital currencies and why they are still considered risky – Jan 21, 2020

Major central banks have joined together to explore whether they should issue cryptocurrencies as the use of cash declines and more people turn to electronic forms of paying.

The study group is made up of the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Swedish Riksbank and the Swiss National Bank.

They said in a statement Tuesday that they will assess the potential case for digital currencies in their home jurisdictions.

The Swedish central bank has already studied the issue for several years and has commissioned a pilot project as the use of cash declines in that country. No decision has been made.

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Click to play video: 'Cryptocurrency founder transferred customers’ funds to his own accounts'
Cryptocurrency founder transferred customers’ funds to his own accounts

Existing cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are not suited for paying for things because they can fluctuate sharply in value.

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Facebook has backed the Libra project for a so-called stablecoin, a digital currency linked to existing currencies.

Click to play video: 'What is Bitcoin? Explaining highly volatile cryptocurrencies'
What is Bitcoin? Explaining highly volatile cryptocurrencies

Several major partners such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and eBay have left the association set up to oversee Libra as it faces pushback from regulatory authorities.

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