• According to a new survey, developed economies are more closed off to CBDCs. 
• Emerging markets like China and India are more open to CBDCs.

Central Bank Digital Currencies, commonly known as CBDCs, have gained a lot of popularity over the years. Their upsides have been emphasized in the crypto market as adoption accelerates consistently. However, a recent survey has revealed that CBDCs are not as embraced in the global investment industry.

In a recent report from Reuters, a recent survey carried out by the CFA institute, a leading worldwide association for bankers, less than half of the finance and investment figures are open to a CBDC rollout.

To conduct the survey, the CFA Institute tapped prominent financial figures like investors, finance chiefs and a worldwide association for bankers. After consulting 4,150 respondents, only 42% of participants were on board with the idea of a CBDC launch.

It appears there is still a lot of skepticism surrounding the asset and its structure. Reuters explains that even advanced finance figures are very uncertain about the nature and full scope of Central Bank Digital Currencies.

“Even for a sophisticated and financially literate cohort like our members there is very little understanding of what CBDCs are.” said Olivier Fines, the Head of Advocacy and Policy Research at CFA.

The CFA further asserted that there is “a general feeling of scepticism”, specifically around the benefits of CBDCs. These sentiments are shared in developing countries that have adopted instant online payments.

Meanwhile, 34% of the survey participants do not want the Central Bank to launch a digital version of fiat currency, while 24% of participants remained indifferent.

China and India more receptive towards CBDCs

The survey also found that only 37% of participants from developed markets are in favour of CBDCs, while as much as 61%, from upcoming markets are in favour of CBDCs.

In the United States, 31% of respondents were in support of a digital dollar, while 38%, 45% and 46% favoured CBDCs in Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom respectively.

Interestingly, the sentiments seem to be largely different in Asia. In China, 70% of respondents in India showed support for CBDCs, while 66% of Indian residents are in support of CBDCs. At present, the People’s Bank of China is already working towards implementing a massive CBDC project in the country. India, on the other hand, is planning to launch an e-rupee in 2024.

In response to the survey report, Olivier Fines said the following;

“There is a clear and very significant divide…perception in developing economies that a CBDC could fill a gap that may not exist in the developed world”.

Fines also noted that the younger generations are more likely to be receptive to CBDCs, the same way they are to cryptocurrencies. The big question, according to Fines, is how stable CBDCs will become in the long term, and if the sentiments among the younger generation will change.