CBDC pilots: What they are, who’s running them, and what they mean for your money

When you hear CBDC pilots, digital versions of a country’s official currency issued by its central bank. Also known as central bank digital currency, it’s not science fiction — it’s happening right now in over 100 countries, from Nigeria to Sweden to the Bahamas. These aren’t just tech experiments. They’re reshaping how money moves, who controls it, and how you interact with your bank.

CBDC pilots relate directly to fintech, technology that changes how financial services are delivered. Think mobile payments, real-time transfers, and apps that let you send money across borders without waiting days. Many of the tools making this possible — like ISO 20022, blockchain bridges, and event-driven architecture — are already in use in the posts below. CBDCs don’t replace these. They build on them.

They also connect to monetary policy, how governments manage interest rates, inflation, and money supply. Right now, central banks use tools like rate hikes or bond buying to influence the economy. With a CBDC, they could send stimulus payments directly to your digital wallet — or even set expiration dates on cash to encourage spending. That’s not theoretical. It’s being tested.

What you won’t find in these pilots is a one-size-fits-all model. Some countries want CBDCs to replace cash. Others just want faster payments. A few are testing offline access for rural areas. The Bahamas’ Sand Dollar lets people pay with a phone that has no internet. China’s digital yuan tracks spending patterns. The ECB’s digital euro is designed to protect privacy. These differences matter because they affect how you’ll use money in the future.

You’ll see CBDC pilots tied to cross-border payments, digital wallets, and financial inclusion in the posts below. That’s not a coincidence. If you’re using Wise for international transfers, or a digital wallet for everyday spending, you’re already on the same path. The question isn’t whether CBDCs will arrive — it’s how fast, and what control you’ll have over your own money when they do.