Online CBDCs Vs Offline CBDCs: Major Differences
What are CBDCs?
CBDCs stand for Central Bank Digital Currencies. They are cryptocurrencies that are issued by Central banks. In the last few years, there has been an increased interest in the total number of CBDC projects around the globe.
After the COVID-19 pandemic as people and businesses suffered from lockdown, the importance of digitized form of currency gained mass popularity.
Financial institutions, banks, and international organizations generated higher transaction volume using digital currencies rather in comparison to paper form. Various financial services providers suffered from digital disruptions that gave rise to DLTs such as blockchain. In the same context, CBDCs gained traction.
CBDCs are digitized form of fiat currency that are issued and controlled by the government. CBDCs are registered as legal tender in a country if the legislative bill is approved by the local political body.
Types of CBDCs
There are various classifications of CBDCs depending in their design, functionality, scope, architecture, accessibility, and various other factors. For the purposes of this article, here are two types of CBDCs depending on their connectivity and user access:
Online CBDCs
Online CBDCs are available in an online manner. These are accessible electronically, connected in the form of digital wallets. Online CBDCs are used in various different types of services such as online banking, internet-based financial systems, and others.
This type of digital fiat is mentioned when talking about a move toward the cashless economy. Online CBDCs are connected to the internet and therefore ensure secure transactions and benefit the system with features such as fast processing speed, reduced costs, and easier access to online banking.
Online CBDCs transactions and validations require that the end-users are connected with the active internet connection.
Offline CBDCs
Offline CBDCs are an evolution of online alternative. This type of offline digitized cash allows users to make transactions on the go without the active internet connection using their devices such as mobile phones. However, offline CBDC transactions can be spotty and require internet connectivity for updating.
This type of transaction is useful in nations that have limited access to the internet and lack of digital literacy. However, in developed nation’s offline payments feature for CBDCs can be useful features for consumers and vendors operating at a small scale.
At the same time, it can increase the transaction volume and remove the payment barrier and increase financial inclusion.
Key Differences Between Online and Offline CBDCs
Here are some key differences between online and offline CBDCs.
Accessibility
As clear from their names offline CBDCs are accessible without active connection to the internet. On the other hand, offline CBDCs are not actively connected to the internet and have a robust security protocol that allows them to keep operating in an offline manner.
Updating
Online CBDCs are always connected with the internet as long as they as active and functional. Therefore, they are able to download any updates on the wallets or service channels in an automated manner. In contrast, offline CBDCs can continue operating in an offline environment.
However, it is necessary for these applications to connect with the internet with regular intervals in order to download upgrades and continue to operate without facing difficulties.
Transaction Ease
Online CBDCs enable transactions in real-time and ensure that the end users are able to update their personalized records live. In contrast, offline CBDC wallets perform transactions in an intermittent manner meaning that they have to connect with the internet in order to update the transaction records for end users and the national or centralized ledger.
Utility
Online CBDCs are best for accessing online banking and making online purchases at ecommerce stores. However, offline CBDCs operations have limited access but they allow end users to keep making transactions in a peer-to-peer manner.
Security Constraints
Online CBDCs have online security risks meaning that if a user is connected to unsecured public network hackers can break in and steal their reserves or identity etc. In contrast, offline CBDCs are more secure as they operate in a cold-wallet like manner.
Verification
Online CBDCs usually require real-time transaction exchange and all the records are also updated and approved live. On the other hand, offline transactions can take place in a peer-to-peer manner without needing verification from the government or other centralized supervisors who will receive the records after connecting with an internet connection.
Flexibility
Online CBDCs are more suitable for tech-savvy users and economies with a robust and sufficient technical infrastructure. Meanwhile, offline CBDCs require diverse connectivity settings.
Conclusion
As visible from the comparative analysis above, both online and offline CBDCs have unique and useful features. Both types of CBDCs are also interchangeable and add value for the end-users, operators, and businesses.
