- Project Mariana aims to streamline the huge foreign exchange market.
- It employs blockchain technology to make trading more efficient and transparent.
- Wholesale central bank digital currencies (CBDC) play an important role in this system.
Global policymakers are increasingly interested in blockchain technology. Most recently, the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub unveiled Project Mariana. This pilot project explores using blockchain tech and wholesale Central Bank Digital Currencies (wCBDCs) to streamline international payments.
But what does Project Mariana entail, what are wCBDCs, and what impact will they have on the financial system? This article explores all these questions.
Understanding Project Mariana
Project Mariana is a pioneering initiative exploring the potential of a tokenized financial system, which could significantly transform global markets.
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Currently, the largest financial market is the foreign exchange (FX) market, which trades approximately $7.5 trillion daily. However, forex trading still leaves a lot of room for greater efficiency. This is where blockchain technology comes into play.
On Wednesday, June 28, BIS released a report to see how FX trading might look in a tokenized world. The report details efforts between the BIS Innovation Hub, the Bank of France, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the Swiss National Bank in designing an alternative system based on blockchain technology.
How Would Project Mariana Work?
At the core of Project Mariana is a blockchain interbank network to trade CBDCs such as the digital Euro, Singapore dollar, and Swiss franc. This network would be like a global marketplace for these digital currencies.
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To start, each central bank could issue its own wholesale central bank digital currency. They would then transfer this currency via “bridges” to the global network. Thanks to a uniform token standard, these wCBDCs would be interoperable.
Once on the market, automated systems (AMM) would facilitate the trading process. According to BIS Innovation Hub, these would be similar to decentralized exchanges (DEX). Specifically, they would leverage blockchain tech to improve the safety and transparency of these transactions.
Potential Implications of Project Mariana
Project Mariana represents a significant step forward in exploring blockchain technology’s potential in the financial sector. According to the BIS Innovation Hub, it aims to improve the effectiveness, safety, and transparency of FX trading and settlement.
Thanks to blockchain technology, FX markets could become much more efficient. Thanks to AMMs, there would be less need for manual intervention. This could lead to substantial cost savings for financial institutions and potentially more competitive customer rates.
Secondly, using blockchain technology could improve the safety and transparency of FX trading. Transactions on the blockchain are immutable and transparent, which could help prevent fraudulent activities and enhance trust in the system.
Thirdly, the interoperability of wCBDCs could facilitate cross-border transactions. Cross-border transactions can be slow and expensive due to the need to convert currencies and navigate different financial systems. With wCBDCs, these transactions could become seamless, promoting global financial integration.
What Are wCBDCs?
Wholesale central bank digital currencies (CBDC) are digital versions of traditional currencies. The term “wholesale” in wCBDCs means that these currencies are for banks and financial institutions and not for individuals or businesses. This distinguishes them from retail CBDCs, which are for the general public.
They are part of a broader movement towards digitalization in the financial sector, driven by the potential benefits of increased transparency and security. However, unlike crypto, which is at least theoretically decentralized, wCBDCs are fully regulated.
On the Flipside:
- While Project Mariana presents interesting potential benefits, it is still experimental.
- The success of such a system would depend on widespread adoption by banks and financial institutions.
Why This Matters
For crypto traders, the development of wCBDCs and their integration into the financial system could have significant implications. If implemented, it will likely lead to greater adoption of digital currencies. On the other hand, it might also increase demand for decentralized alternatives like crypto.
Read more about how the Bank of International Settlements views traditional crypto:
BIS Says Crypto Lost Battle Against Fiat – Praises Blockchain Tech
Read more about the latest buzz around institutional interest in crypto:
Are Institutions into Crypto Again? Schwab, JP Morgan Clarify
