Read about the momentous achievement as the UAE conducts its first cross-border digital dirham transfer using the mBridge CBDC platform. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a major advancement in the use of digital currencies for cross-border transactions and underscores the UAE's position at the forefront of financial innovation. Stay informed with this comprehensive article on the transformative impact of this historic transfer and the influential role of mBridge in shaping the future of cross-border transactions.


The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached a significant milestone by conducting the first cross-border digital dirham transfer using the mBridge central bank digital currency (CBDC) platform on January 29. This momentous transfer, amounting to 50 million dirhams ($13.6 million), was sent to China, marking a pivotal advancement in the realm of cross-border transactions, as reported by Gulf News.


This pioneering transaction, executed through the multi-CBDC mBridge platform, was led by Sheikh Mansour, the chairman of the board of the Central Bank of the UAE. Notably, this remarkable achievement took place in commemoration of the golden jubilee celebration of the establishment of the UAE central bank.


The mBridge platform, a multinational collaborative effort involving the central monetary authorities of China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the UAE, in partnership with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), has been a catalyst for the advancement of cross-border transactions using CBDCs. The project, which was introduced in 2021, successfully completed its first pilot in September 2022, marking a significant leap forward in the use of digital currencies for cross-border transfers.


Project mBridge has also garnered support from multiple commercial banks from each participating member nation. The platform, leveraging the HotStuff+ consensus mechanism, facilitates real-time, peer-to-peer transactions, providing faster and more efficient transfer capabilities for each participant country's national digital currency. The platform's infrastructure and technology have been actively developed in collaboration with commercial banks, underscoring the concerted efforts to enhance cross-border transaction capabilities.


In light of these substantial advancements, Representative Maxine Waters, a member of the House Financial Services Committee in the United States, expressed her concerns regarding the potential for mBridge to be utilized as a means of circumventing economic penalties. This underscores the global recognition and scrutiny that mBridge has attracted, signifying its significant impact on international financial landscapes.


The adoption of CBDCs by central banks is a global trend, as nearly 90% of central banks worldwide are actively exploring the adoption of CBDCs. The report by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) indicates that 11 countries have already launched a CBDC, with 15 in the pilot stage and 26 in the development phase. This underlines the profound impact and potential of CBDCs in reshaping the future of digital currencies and cross-border transactions on a global scale.


In a wider context, the utilization of blockchain technology and digital currencies on distributed ledgers has prompted governments worldwide to delve into the realm of national digital currencies issued by central banks. The proactive exploration of blockchain technology for this purpose signifies a concerted effort to embrace digital innovation in the financial sector, thus contributing to the evolution of cross-border transactions and financial systems at large.


The monumental achievement of the UAE in conducting the first cross-border digital dirham transfer via the mBridge platform underscores the transformative potential of CBDCs in facilitating seamless and efficient cross-border transactions. This achievement not only symbolizes a milestone for the UAE but also represents a significant advancement for the entire global financial community as it continues to embrace digital innovation in the realm of cross-border transactions and digital currency utilization.


With the successful completion of the first pilot and the active involvement of multiple stakeholder nations and commercial banks, the mBridge platform has emerged as a pioneering force in shaping the future of cross-border transactions using CBDCs. This historic transfer further solidifies the UAE's position at the forefront of global financial innovation and serves as a testament to the transformative potential of digital currencies in revolutionizing cross-border transactions.


(PRASHANT JHA, COINTELEGRAPH, 2024)