以色列銀行推出數位謝克爾以增強競爭並刺激金融創新

以色列銀行（BOI）計劃推出數位謝克爾，與商業銀行在存款和數位支付方面競爭。央行認為，仍在開發中的數位謝克爾將迫使銀行改善服務並降低費用。

Bank of Israel Plans Digital Shekel to Enhance Financial System, Spur Competition

以色列銀行計劃推出數位謝克爾以增強金融體系、刺激競爭

Jerusalem, Israel - The Bank of Israel (BOI) has announced plans to introduce a digital shekel (e-shekel), a central bank digital currency (CBDC), that will challenge traditional commercial banks for deposits and digital payments. This move aims to foster a more competitive financial landscape in Israel and enhance the efficiency and accessibility of financial services.

以色列耶路撒冷 - 以色列銀行 (BOI) 宣布計劃推出數位謝克爾 (e-shekel)，這是一種中央銀行數位貨幣 (CBDC)，將在存款和數位支付方面挑戰傳統商業銀行。此舉旨在培育以色列更具競爭力的金融格局，並提高金融服務的效率和可近性。

In his address at a recent event organized by the Israeli newspaper Globes, BOI Deputy Governor Andrew Abir outlined the potential impact of the digital shekel on the nation's financial system. He emphasized that the introduction of a CBDC would disrupt the role of commercial banks as the primary custodians of deposits and facilitators of digital payments.

BOI 副行長 Andrew Abir 在以色列報紙 Globes 最近組織的活動中發表講話，概述了數位謝克爾對國家金融體系的潛在影響。他強調，CBDC 的引入將擾亂商業銀行作為存款主要託管人和數位支付促進者的角色。

Abir noted that Israel's financial system currently lacks the necessary competitiveness, leading to a lack of innovation and laxity among lenders. The digital shekel, he argued, would create a competitive environment by providing consumers with a safe and secure alternative to traditional banking services.

阿比爾指出，以色列的金融體系目前缺乏必要的競爭力，導致貸款機構缺乏創新和鬆懈。他認為，數位謝克爾將為消費者提供傳統銀行服務的安全替代方案，進而創造一個競爭環境。

"The public's ability to hold part of their money in the digital shekel may cause banks to want to incentivize the public to keep their money with them – whether by paying interest on the current account and higher interest on deposits, or through other added values such as better service, better technology," Abir said.

「公眾將部分資金以數位謝克爾形式持有的能力可能會導致銀行想要激勵公眾將資金留在他們身邊——無論是透過支付經常帳利息和更高的存款利息，還是透過其他附加價值，例如更好的服務、更好的技術，」阿比爾說。

The BOI also intends to compete with banks for digital payments through the e-shekel. Abir pointed out that banks have encroached on the central bank's role in retail payments as cash usage declines. The digital shekel, he explained, would allow consumers to make payments directly with BOI-backed currency, intensifying competition among different payment methods.

BOI 還打算透過電子謝克爾與銀行競爭數位支付。阿比爾指出，隨著現金使用量的下降，銀行已經蠶食了央行在零售支付中的作用。他解釋說，數位謝克爾將允許消費者直接使用 BOI 支援的貨幣進行支付，從而加劇不同支付方式之間的競爭。

However, Abir stressed that the e-shekel differs significantly from decentralized cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, which are not backed by a central authority. He reiterated that the digital shekel would be under the purview of the BOI, providing the same level of trust and stability as physical cash.

然而，阿比爾強調，電子謝克爾與比特幣等去中心化加密貨幣有很大不同，後者不受中央機構的支持。他重申，數字謝克爾將屬於 BOI 的管轄範圍，提供與實體現金相同水準的信任和穩定性。

Sandbox for Digital Shekel Innovation

數位謝克爾創新沙盒

Recognizing the transformative potential of the digital shekel, the BOI intends to establish an API-based sandbox for banks and financial institutions. This sandbox, inspired by Project Rosalind, a collaborative effort by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the Bank of England, will provide an environment for testing and developing innovative use cases for the e-shekel.

認識到數位謝克爾的變革潛力，BOI 打算為銀行和金融機構建立一個基於 API 的沙箱。這個沙盒的靈感來自國際清算銀行 (BIS) 和英格蘭銀行的合作項目 Rosalind，將為測試和開發 e-shekel 的創新用例提供一個環境。

The sandbox is scheduled to launch within the next few weeks, enabling stakeholders to explore novel applications for the digital currency and identify opportunities for enhancing financial services.

該沙盒計劃在未來幾週內啟動，使利益相關者能夠探索數位貨幣的新穎應用，並發現增強金融服務的機會。

Considerations and Cautions

注意事項和注意事項

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the digital shekel, Abir emphasized that the BOI is proceeding with caution. The central bank has not yet made a final decision on issuing an e-shekel and is currently exploring its feasibility.

儘管人們對數位謝克爾充滿熱情，但阿比爾強調，投資委員會正在謹慎行事。央行尚未就發行電子謝克爾做出最終決定，目前正在探索其可行性。

"The digital shekel is still in its early stages of development, and we are approaching it very carefully," Abir said. "We are aware of the potential risks and challenges associated with CBDCs, and we are committed to addressing them before any implementation."

「數位謝克爾仍處於發展的早期階段，我們正在非常謹慎地對待它，」阿比爾說。 “我們意識到與 CBDC 相關的潛在風險和挑戰，我們致力於在實施之前解決這些問題。”

The BOI is evaluating various considerations, including consumer protection, financial stability, and the impact on the banking sector. The central bank will also need to define the legal and regulatory framework for the digital shekel, ensuring its safe and responsible use.

BOI 正在評估各種考慮因素，包括消費者保護、金融穩定性以及對銀行業的影響。央行還需要製定數位謝克爾的法律和監管框架，確保其安全和負責任的使用。

Competition Beyond Banks

銀行以外的競爭

The digital shekel is not limited to competing with commercial banks. Stablecoins, cryptocurrencies that are pegged to the value of a fiat currency, pose a potential rival in the shekel-based digital payments market.

數位謝克爾不僅限於與商業銀行競爭。穩定幣是與法定貨幣價值掛鉤的加密貨幣，在以謝克爾為基礎的數位支付市場中構成了潛在的競爭對手。

In March, Bits of Gold, a local cryptocurrency exchange, received regulatory approval to test BILS, a shekel-backed stablecoin. BILS aims to challenge traditional banks by offering faster, cheaper, and more efficient transactions.

今年 3 月，當地加密貨幣交易所 Bits of Gold 獲得監管部門批准，可以測試由謝克爾支持的穩定幣 BILS。 BILS 旨在透過提供更快、更便宜、更有效率的交易來挑戰傳統銀行。

As the digital shekel progresses through its development, it remains to be seen how it will interact with stablecoins and other digital payment providers. The introduction of the e-shekel is expected to trigger a wave of innovation and competition in Israel's financial landscape, potentially leading to greater efficiency, accessibility, and choice for consumers.

隨著數位謝克爾的發展不斷進步，它將如何與穩定幣和其他數位支付提供者互動還有待觀察。電子謝克爾的推出預計將在以色列金融領域引發一波創新和競爭浪潮，有可能為消費者帶來更高的效率、可及性和更多選擇。