In a Twitter thread on Sunday, Christine Lagarde, former Managing Director of the IMF and present President of the European Central Financial institution, invited public commentary on a possible eurozone central financial institution digital forex (CBDC). 

“We’re nonetheless within the evaluate and concerns stage, however we’ve simply launched a public session so that customers and Europeans can truly categorical their choice and inform us whether or not they can be blissful to make use of a digital Euro simply in the best way they use a Euro coin or a Euro banknote understanding that it’s central financial institution cash that’s accessible and that they will depend on,” mentioned Lagarde in a video from the thread. 

The feedback on a potential CBDC have been half of a bigger collection of reflections on what Lagarde described as a “tough yr.” 

Among the many matters mentioned have been the influence of the Coronavirus and the way the ECB responded, the significance of analyzing how financial institution coverage may fight local weather change, and the way cryptocurrencies may higher swimsuit trendy way of life selections on the a part of Europeans.

“As Europeans are more and more turning to digital within the methods they spend, save and make investments, we needs to be ready to challenge a digital euro, if wanted,” Lagarde wrote. 

As Cointelegraph has beforehand reported, the ECB has a roadmap in direction of a extra critical CBDC research in 2021. Moreover, central banks world wide are taking exploratory, if cautious, steps in direction of issuing CBDCs. 

The Tweet additionally linked to a survey form the place the chief banker invited Europeans to share their ideas. 

“I’m additionally eager to listen to your views on it.”