Cambodia's Central Bank Pushes Ahead with Blockchain Payments Trials

The National Bank of Cambodia has said it will continue to develop interbank payment solutions using blockchain tech.

AccessTimeIconJun 21, 2017 at 2:15 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 11, 2021 at 1:28 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Cambodia's central bank has revealed plans to continue to develop interbank payment solutions using blockchain.

Back in April, the National Bank of Cambodia announced that it was working with Japan-based distributed ledger startup Soramitsu to trial the technology, with an eye to potentially implement blockchain at the central bank.

The bank's director general, Chea Serey, has now indicated that that work will continue, telling The Phnom Penh Post:

"At this stage we will focus on the operational functionality of the system, but we believe the system can further be customized with application development to benefit the [central] bank’s monetary policy, including the use of the local currency."

That said, she reportedly stressed that the central bank isn't looking to develop its own cryptocurrency – rather, it is viewing the tech (for now, at least) squarely through the lens of interbank payments.

This approach, Serey explained, would help provide "smooth, efficient, safe and affordable interbank transactions which will ultimately benefit end users".

According to the report, the central bank is utilizing Hyperledger Iroha, one of the blockchain initiatives under the umbrella of the Linux Foundation-led Hyperledger project. Iroha was developed by Soramitsu, along with tech firms Hitachu and NTT Data, and blockchain startup Colu.

Disclosure: CoinDesk is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group (DCG), which has an ownership stake in Colu.

Cambodia National Bank image via Maurizio Biso/Shutterstock.com

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.