A physical banknote and coin imitations of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Only 10% of those surveyed said they would not opt for a digital currency issued by their central bank. AFP
A physical banknote and coin imitations of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Only 10% of those surveyed said they would not opt for a digital currency issued by their central bank. AFP
A physical banknote and coin imitations of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Only 10% of those surveyed said they would not opt for a digital currency issued by their central bank. AFP
A physical banknote and coin imitations of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Only 10% of those surveyed said they would not opt for a digital currency issued by their central bank. AFP

Consumers more receptive to digital currencies issued by a central bank


Jennifer Gnana
  • English
  • Arabic

About 64 per cent of people surveyed across 10 countries said they would adopt digital currencies issued by their central bank, a study has found.

European deep-tech company Guardtime surveyed consumers across Europe and Asia, including the UAE.

Only 10 per cent of those surveyed said they would not opt for a digital currency issued by their central bank.

Several countries the world are considering issuing digital currencies, with India being the latest.

The Reserve Bank of India, the country's apex bank, said it was considering a "phased introduction" of digital currency. The development was contingent on legal changes in the country's exchange rules and information-technology laws, deputy governor T Rabi Sankar said on Thursday.

Others, such as the European Central Bank, are considering looking into plans for a "digital euro".

The developments come amid a change in consumer behaviour away from cash as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Consumers surveyed by Guardtime, which works with central banks around the world in exploring the development of digital currency, found that a third of adults would be willing to convert their currency savings into a digital asset.

About 26 per cent of those surveyed said they would be prepared to take the leap to government-issued digital currencies within six months.

However, 11 per cent said they would not consider converting their savings to such digital assets.

About 30 per cent of people surveyed said they would accept salaries in government-mandated digital currency within a month.

But, another 27 per cent said they would only consider a switch within six months.


WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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The BIO:

He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal

He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side

By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam

Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border

He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push

His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: July 23, 2021, 1:27 PM`