Mercado Bitcoin, a local exchange, has successfully conducted a pilot test of the Brazilian central bank digital currency (CBDC), the tokenized version of the digital real, on the Stellar network. The test confirmed that the digital real token can operate on public blockchains in compliance with Brazilian regulations.
During the pilot tests, the Stellar blockchain was employed as a public blockchain, and all of the steps that a regular user would have to undertake to utilize a tokenized, on-chain version of the digital real were taken into account. These steps included ensuring traceability, adhering to know-your-customer (KYC) protocols, and implementing anti-fraud measures through the use of a decentralized digital identity system.
Digital Identity Tasks for CBDC Test Conducted by Clearsale and CPQD
Clearsale and CPQD were responsible for the digital identity tasks, specifically handling the identification and fraud prevention processes to ensure compliance with Mercado Bitcoin Pay – the payment processing tool utilized by Mercado Bitcoin to conduct the transactions.
As per the entities involved in this trial, the triumph demonstrates that public networks, like the Stellar blockchain, can act as substitutes for the functionality of the digital real. Commenting on this matter, Fulvio Xavier, who is responsible for special projects at Mercado Bitcoin, stated:
“Our thesis was to prove that it is possible, viable and safe to carry out transactions with digital assets using a representation of the real on public networks. The Central Bank is always concerned about understanding what happens when transactions leave its hands.”
LIFT Challenge Promotes CBDC Innovation in Brazil
The LIFT challenge is an important CBDC initiative by the Central Bank of Brazil to encourage innovation and collaboration between the private sector and the government in the development of financial technology. The program provides a platform for institutions to test and develop cutting-edge solutions that can help transform the Brazilian financial system, and the inclusion of the CBDC project within this program underscores the central bank’s commitment to the development of digital currencies.
Mercado Bitcoin’s participation in the LIFT challenge is a significant recognition of its expertise in the field of digital currencies and blockchain technology. The exchange has been at the forefront of promoting the adoption of cryptocurrencies in Brazil and has played a vital role in shaping the regulatory framework for these assets in the country. By partnering with the central bank in the digital real project, Mercado Bitcoin can leverage its experience and knowledge to help shape the development of this critical infrastructure and promote the adoption of digital currencies in Brazil.
LIFT Challenge Signals Commitment to Payment Infrastructure Modernization
The LIFT challenge is an exciting development for the Brazilian financial system, and the inclusion of the CBDC project in this program is a clear signal of the central bank’s commitment to modernizing the country’s payment infrastructure. With the expertise and collaboration of leading institutions like Mercado Bitcoin, Brazil is well-positioned to become a leader in the development and adoption of digital currencies in Latin America and beyond.
Brazil’s Digital Real Project: A Step Forward Towards a Modern Economy
This announcement by Roberto Campos Neto underlines the Brazilian central bank’s commitment to the digital real project and its aim to deliver a CBDC that can operate in a secure, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The full pilot test will likely involve a larger group of participants and will test the digital real in various scenarios to assess its functionality, scalability, and resilience.
The successful completion of this pilot test will pave the way for the digital real’s potential issuance in the coming years, positioning Brazil as one of the leading countries in the development of central bank digital currencies. The digital real has the potential to transform the financial landscape in Brazil by facilitating faster, cheaper, and more accessible transactions, promoting financial inclusion, and reducing dependence on cash transactions. As such, the digital real represents a significant step forward in Brazil’s journey towards a more digital and modern economy.
