CBDC vs Commercial Bank Money: Legal Tender and Risk Implications
The debate between Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and commercial bank money is intensifying, focusing on legal tender status, risk, and user experience. CBDCs are digital public money issued by central banks, offering a direct claim on the central bank, while commercial bank money consists of deposits held at private banks. The legal tender status of CBDCs is a critical factor, as it determines their acceptance for settling debts. The risk associated with CBDCs is generally lower than commercial bank money, as they do not carry private bank credit risk.