Event: Central Bank Digital Currency--Efficient Innovation or the End of the Private Banking System?

Hosted by the Federalist Society.

Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) are the subject of a global debate.  In one version, individuals and businesses would hold deposits directly with the central bank.  Critics point out that the Federal Reserve would then control how these deposits are used, allocating credit to private-sector borrowers and to government spending, arguing that CBDCs would eviscerate the private banking industry and create government surveillance of all financial transactions in the accounts. An alternate version is that CBDCs take the form of a tokenized dollars, distributed through the banking system and operating in parallel with paper currency and bank accounts.  Supporters say this could yield lower transaction costs and more rapid settlement of payments, and could strengthen the international role of the U.S. dollar.

Featuring:

Bert Ely, Principal, Ely & Company, Inc.

Chris Giancarlo, Senior Counsel, Willkie Digital Works LLP; Former Chairman, US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Greg Baer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Bank Policy Institute

Moderator: Alex J. Pollock, Senior Fellow, the Mises Institute