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10/13/2020

G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Statement on Digital Payments | U.S. Department of the Treasury

G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Statement on
Digital Payments
October 13, 2020

WASHINGTON – The widespread adoption of digital payments has the potential to address
frictions in existing payment systems by improving access to financial services, reducing
ine iciencies, and lowering costs. At the same time, payment services should be
appropriately supervised and regulated to address challenges and risks related to financial
stability, consumer protection, privacy, taxation, cybersecurity, operational resilience, money
laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing, market integrity, governance, and legal
certainty, among others.
The public sector, through the provision of fiat currency and the conduct of independent
monetary policy, as well as its regulatory and supervisory roles, plays an essential role in
ensuring the safety and the e iciency of payment systems, financial stability, and the
achievement of macroeconomic objectives. It is in this context, that a number of G7
authorities are exploring the opportunities and risks associated with central bank digital
currencies (CBDCs). Confidence in the stability of domestic payment systems and the
international monetary system is underpinned by credible and longstanding public sector
commitments to transparency, the rule of law, and sound economic governance. We are
committed to addressing existing frictions within payment systems and to fostering
continual improvement.
The G7 continues to support the work of the FSB, FATF, CPMI, and other standard-setting
bodies to analyze the risks associated with and determine appropriate policy responses to
digital payments. In particular, the G7 underscores the importance of the G20 agenda to
enhance the e iciency of cross-border payments and to address regulatory and public policy
issues arising from global stablecoins and other similar arrangements. The G7 continues to
maintain that no global stablecoin project should begin operation until it adequately
addresses relevant legal, regulatory, and oversight requirements through appropriate design
and by adhering to applicable standards.

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10/13/2020

G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Statement on Digital Payments | U.S. Department of the Treasury

Finally, the G7 is concerned by the rising threat of ransomware attacks, particularly in light of
malicious actors targeting critical sectors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These attacks,
which o en involve payments in crypto-assets, jeopardize essential functions along with our
collective security and prosperity. We a irm our resolve to combat this threat collectively as
well as individually.
Ransomware Annex to G7 Statement

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