The team lead will determine the “strategic direction” for Treasury’s efforts to develop a digital pound in line with the U.K. government’s agenda. 




HM Treasury in the United Kingdom has begun calling for applicants to lead the central bank digital currency crew behind works towards a digital pound.

In a job posted on Jan. 24, theU.K. Treasury called for a  crew lead for its Payments and Fintech Team of roughly 20 people concentrated exploring on a “ potential digital pound ”. According to the advertisement, the CBDC head would determine the “ strategic direction ” for Treasury’s works to develop a digital currency in line with the government’s docket, as well as dissect potential policy issues for lawmakers.

“ Treasury and the Bank of England are working together through the CBDC Taskforce to explore the case for a digital pound, ” said the job advertisement. “ Treasury and the Bank of England have committed to consulting jointly on a potential digital pound, and the successful seeker will lead the Treasury team in the wake of the consultation’s issuance, including working with the Bank of England to consider consultation responses. ”

NumerousU.K. lawmakers and industry leaders have all offered their two cents — or rather, pence — on the preface of a CBDC as the digital asset, space grows. Tony Yates, a former senior adviser to the Bank of England, advised against CBDCs in a January interview, arguing it was “ not worth the costs and risks. ” The current governor of England’s central banks has likewise expressed skepticism about a digital pound.

Related: UK MP says stablecoin is a gateway to CBDC, only crypto can ‘ disrupt ’ agreements  

The U.K. has experienced major shake-ups in leadership, from the government going through three prime ministers within a matter of months to Queen Elizabeth II passing in September 2022. still, lawmakers continue to mull policies related to digital asset regulation and enforcement.

At the time of publication, 16 applicants had applied for the CBDC  part at Treasury.

(TURNER WRIGHT, Cointelegraph, 2023)