Bank of China Reveals Machine That Converts Foreign Currency to Digital Yuan: Report

The Bank of China has shown a machine that converts foreign currencies into digital yuan, China Times reported today.

• The machine is likely in preparation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, when the central bank digital currency (CBDC) is set to be introduced to the rest of the world.

• Users need to link their passports to the transaction, but don’t need a bank account, according to the report. The machine, unveiled at China’s International Import Expo in Shanghai, currently supports 17 foreign currencies.

• The CBDC has been used in $9.7 billion worth of transactions, the head of the PBOC Digital Currency Research Institute Mu Changchun said last week.