Insights
China seeks positions digital yuan for cross-border trade settlements
China’s Cross-border e-CNY Transfer Services (CBETS) signals a strategic shift for the digital yuan from retail payments to wholesale cross-border settlement. By combining this blockchain-based e-CNY infrastructure with mBridge and CIPS, Beijing is building a layered alternative for trade finance, remittances and financial messaging across Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
Hong Kong builds strategic case for a gold hub
Hong Kong’s gold hub could diversify the city’s financial sector beyond traditional banking and IPOs while helping Mainland China advance RMB internationalisation, reserve diversification and gold market infrastructure. Its success will depend on liquidity, transparency, cross-border interoperability and credible governance amid geopolitical and sanctions-related pressures.