2025-12-28 04:24:49

The global central bank digital currency (CBDC) track is accelerating its implementation. In recent months, projects such as the China-Arab Rapid Payment System and the Multilateral CBDC Bridge have been launched successively. From policy to actual operations, the efficiency revolution in cross-border payments has already begun.

Let's look at some tangible developments. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Shanghai Branch completed its first cross-border remittance of 5 million RMB via the mBridge platform, with the key being that it was settled in just 5 minutes, cutting settlement costs by nearly 50%. China Construction Bank (CCB) Shijiazhuang Branch also followed up by implementing related services, reducing exhibition fee payments to same-day completion. This is not just a promise on paper but real improvements in cost and time.

Regional cooperation is also advancing. The China-Arab Rapid Payment System and the UAE Multilateral Digital Currency Bridge project have been officially launched. Bank of China completed a demonstration transaction, achieving direct settlement of digital currencies between the two countries using blockchain technology. What does this mean? Bypassing intermediaries, reducing counterparty risk, and speeding up settlement.

South Korea is also active. The central bank launched the second phase of CBDC testing in December, with all six major banks participating. They plan to distribute over 110 trillion Korean won in government subsidies in the form of digital won. This testing focuses on real-time settlement on distributed ledgers and smart contract scenario control, indicating that CBDC is upgrading from payments to financial infrastructure.

Stablecoins are also lively. Visa launched USDC settlement services, while PayPal applied PYUSD to AI enterprise financing scenarios. Stablecoins are gradually permeating from payment tools into more scenarios such as financing and settlement, with the ecosystem expanding in real terms.

Overall, from single-country pilot projects to multilateral cooperation, from payment clearing to smart contract applications, digital currency infrastructure is stepping on the accelerator. The reduction of costs and acceleration of cross-border trade will ultimately be reflected in the real benefits for market participants.

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LadderToolGuy

· 16h ago

5-minute settlement cuts costs by 50%? This is the real efficiency revolution --- CBDC is really taking off, it feels like traditional clearing and settlement will be completely rewritten --- Wait, 110 trillion Korean won in subsidies issued via digital currency... this scale is just too large --- Bypassing intermediaries has the greatest impact, the bank intermediary position is in jeopardy --- Stablecoins are moving from payments into financing? The approach is becoming broader and broader --- ICBC Shijiazhuang completed the same day, not only fast but also directly halved the costs --- This wave of central bank digital currencies is truly not just a PPT product, it's actually running --- South Korea has also started using CBDC for subsidies, it seems countries are all eager to reform cross-border systems --- Blockchain technology finally has a real use case, not just hype --- The mBridge system is being adopted by more and more countries, the future landscape may really change

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StealthMoon

· 16h ago

5-minute arrival? This speed is really incredible, traditional banks should be crying --- mBridge is taking off, it feels like the CBDC era has truly arrived --- Cost cut by 50%, this number is no joke, right? That's pretty impressive --- South Korea is also working on CBDC, it seems central banks are all getting urgent --- Stablecoins are penetrating financing scenarios, the DeFi ecosystem is really expanding --- Bypassing intermediaries for direct settlement, this is what blockchain should do --- Government subsidies are all issued in digital currency, infrastructure has indeed been upgraded --- A test scale of 110 trillion Korean won, this is not a joke --- Cross-border payments have dropped from hours to minutes, it's crazy --- Multilateral cooperation is happening, it feels like the CBDC alliance effect is about to explode

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ImpermanentPhilosopher

· 16h ago

5-minute settlement, no need for middlemen, directly cut costs—this is what true revolution looks like. --- Is the central bank digital currency really about to be implemented? It feels like on-chain financial freedom is one step closer. --- South Korea is issuing subsidies in digital Korean won—impressive move, with real-time settlement and smart contract control. Financial infrastructure is upgrading. --- Stablecoins are moving from payments to financing, and the ecosystem is expanding so quickly... what else can we play with? --- If mBridge really eliminates middlemen, the cross-border payment landscape will change. --- Bypassing middlemen reduces counterparty risk? Those SWIFT systems should start to panic. --- ICBC and CCB are both following suit, showing this is no longer just a concept—real money is involved. --- Blockchain direct settlement sounds great, but I wonder what regulators think. --- The 110 trillion won subsidy test—central banks are holding back a big move.

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ImpermanentLossFan

· 17h ago

5-minute settlement, 50% cost reduction... this is exactly what we've been waiting for --- Central bank digital currencies are really making moves, no longer just slogans --- The mBridge path is the right way; bypassing middlemen to earn the spread is the correct approach --- A one-time subsidy of 110 trillion won in South Korea? Now that's a real CBDC application scenario --- Stablecoins are now even daring to play in financing; the ecosystem is indeed expanding --- Basically, it's an efficiency revolution; whoever gets on board first will profit first --- Wait, could this ruin the traditional financial intermediary jobs... --- Has cross-border payments really been stuck for so long? If it turns out like this, it's progress --- Blockchain technology is finally producing some real results --- Information gaps are being leveled; next, let's see who reacts fastest

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