The Digital Money Atlas
Retail CBDC: Why Countries Reach Different Decisions
Australia sees no clear case today. Europe is preparing, Britain is assessing, US policy blocks a federal CBDC, and China is changing its design. What evidence should justify the next step?
Australia gives a reason to wait
On 3 September 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Treasury published an assessment finding no clear public-interest case for a retail central bank digital currency now.
Five different approaches reveal why waiting, preparation, permission, piloting and issuance require different evidence.