IMF: CBDC could increase financial inclusion and payments efficiency in the Middle East.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said 19 countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, including Bahrain, Georgia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are at an advanced ‘proof of concept’ stage for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). “We support policymakers in assessing the need for CBDC issuance and help them create a strong policy and regulatory framework(…)