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Central Bank Digital Currency - Initial Considerations (CBDC)

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Session No.: CE 26.04

Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait

Date: January 18-22, 2026 (1 week)

Delivery Method: In-person Training

Primary Language: English

Target Audience

Mid- to senior-level officials working in the payment, legal, technology/innovation, monetary policy, and financial stability departments at the central bank or in positions with similar responsibilities who are, or will be, interacting with work on central bank digital currencies in their jurisdiction or in international settings.

Qualifications

Participants should have a basic understanding of economics alongside direct experience in the operations, policymaking, and/or oversight in one or more of the following areas: payments, legal, technology/innovation, monetary policy, and financial stability.

Course Description

This course, presented by the Monetary and Capital Markets Department (MCM), provides a comprehensive overview of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). It aims to be interactive, using a combination of lectures, case study simulations, and group discussions. The lectures will cover initial considerations for CBDC including its positioning with existing payment systems; project management for CBDC research and development (R&D); cybersecurity risks; and macro-financial implications such as monetary policy transmission, monetary operations, as well as financial stability. The lectures will also explore factors influencing CBDC adoption, data use/privacy protection, and cross-border arrangements for CBDC, providing a comprehensive overview of this evolving field.
The course will draw from insights from the IMF's CBDC virtual Handbook chapters, an online resource for policymakers and experts in central banks and ministries of finance, serving as the foundation for the IMF's engagements with country authorities and stakeholders. The Handbook aims to collect and share knowledge, lessons, empirical findings, and frameworks to address policymakers' most frequently asked questions on CBDC.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to: 

  • Understand the fundamental concepts and mechanics of CBDC operations from an economic perspective 
  • Understand cybersecurity risks, macro-financial implications, adoption factors, data use/privacy protection, and cross-border arrangements for CBDC use. 
  • Gain insights into global CBDC developments and how CBDC compares with other money and payment innovations. 
  • Learn about project management and R&D best practices for CBDC initiatives and emphasize dynamic decision-making frameworks.

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