IMF makes suggestions for introducing retail CBDCNEWS to Jordan’s central bank. With the conclusion of an International Monetary Fund technical report on the nation’s markets, the Central Bank of Jordan is one step closer to taking the next step toward a retail central bank digital currency (rCBDC). The report gave a largely positive assessment of the nation’s current retail payment market, noting that two non-bank payment service providers (PSPs) have “generally accessible and appropriate product” and that smartphone adoption is high in the nation. The IMF warned to avoid disintermediation in the Jordanian financial system, as it could contribute to instability in times of stress. One of the problems a rCBDC will not address is a persisting cash culture. Another is low financial literacy. News Sorce

Beginning in April, the Central Bank of Russia intends to start testing genuine consumer transactions using digital rubles. The next phase of the pilot project will include more than a dozen banks, and it is intended to begin with payments between businesses and trade organizations. At the initial testing stage, regular customers won’t be able to participate, but after the tests are finished, the regulator will be able to decide how to scale the use of its central bank’s digital money (CBDC). A prototype of the CBDC platform was completed in December 2021, while the digital ruble project was first revealed in October 2020. he CBR is aiming for a full launch of the national digital currency in 2024. News Sorce

The Wormhole protocol hacker was “countered” by Jump Crypto and Oasis.app, who also transferred $225 million worth of digital assets to a secure wallet. The assets were promptly transferred onto a wallet under the custody of the court-authorized third party when the counter exploit was launched using the Oasis Multisig and them. News Sorce