CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency)
Digital version of national currency issued by central bank — opposite of crypto.
CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) is a digital form of state currency directly issued by the central bank — not a cryptocurrency, but digital fiat.
Difference from cryptocurrencies:
•Centralized — central bank control
•Permissioned — can be blocked/excluded
•Can have programmable restrictions (expiry, limited use)
•No transaction privacy
Examples worldwide:
•e-CNY (China) — most advanced, millions of users
•Digital Euro (ECB) — in development, pilot phase
•eNaira (Nigeria) — small adoption
•Digital Dollar (USA) — politically controversial
Crypto community and CBDC:
•CBDC seen as opposite to Bitcoin principles
•"Financial surveillance" — every transaction tracked
•Potential for "programmable money" — money expiring if not spent, or unable to be used for certain things
Practical implication: CBDC grows, Bitcoin as alternative gains even more meaning.