The Power of Governments: Controlling Purchases and Expiry Dates with CBDC
Governments discussed at the World Economic Forum "Summer Davos" meeting in China the potential for programmable Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) that could have expiry dates and restrictions on certain purchases deemed undesirable by the government, such as ammunition, drugs, or pornography. While some experts see the benefits of programmability, others express concerns about the potential dangers and impact on the integrity and independence of central banks. While central banks like the European Central Bank have stated that programmability would be left to commercial banks, some countries, like India and Nigeria, are exploring programmable CBDCs with different features and limitations. Programmability remains a key feature of CBDCs, offering governments and banks control over the use and flow of digital currency.
