China’s mBridge Platform Surpasses $55B in Cross-Border CBDC Transactions
China's mBridge digital currency platform has processed over $55.5 billion in cross-border transactions since its 2022 pilot, marking a seismic shift in global payments infrastructure. The project, involving central banks from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, leverages CBDCs to bypass traditional dollar-based systems.
Beijing's digital yuan dominates settlement volume, accounting for 95% of transactions. The People's Bank of China plans to introduce interest-bearing e-CNY accounts, potentially accelerating adoption. Meanwhile, the Bank for International Settlements' exit in 2024 underscores geopolitical tensions surrounding alternative payment networks.