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Emtech, a New York-based central banking infrastructure provider, has raised $4 million in seed investment led by Matrix Partners India. The funding will be used to further develop Emtech’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) stack and its regtech solution. Other investors in the round include BTN, Vested, Equity Alliance, and LoftyInc Capital. This investment brings Emtech’s total funding to $10 million.
Emtech’s CBDC Innovation Kit
Last month, Emtech introduced its CBDC Innovation Kit, catering to fintechs and financial service providers interested in experimenting with digital currencies pioneered by central banks. The kit functions as a simulator accessible through APIs, allowing fintechs to gain access to a CBDC simulator wallet and extract data from the ledger to test transactions and new business models.
Working with Central Banks
Emtech has developed regtech and CBDC stack solutions for the Central Banks of Ghana, Nigeria, and the Bahamas. The company is also collaborating with fintechs in other countries to provide crucial regulatory and innovation insights. Emtech’s CEO, Cardet, emphasized that the company is the only one globally working with that many central banks at a time.
Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Currency
The performance of local digital currencies has been mixed. For instance, Nigeria’s eNaira has had low acceptance, with less than 0.5% of Nigerians utilizing it since its inception two years ago. However, Emtech’s CEO believes that the eNaira’s challenges should not overshadow the potential benefits of CBDCs. Emtech’s approach is fintech-friendly and aims to tap into untapped opportunities regarding CBDC.
Collaboration with the West Africa Monetary Institute
Emtech signed a collaboration deal with the West Africa Monetary Institute in June, aiming to create a single currency for the area through CBDCs. With $10 trillion cash in circulation, the percentage of banks engaged in CBDC climbed from 80% to 93% in 2022, and 24 central banks are expected to have digital currencies in circulation by the decade’s end.
Deployment of the Innovation Kit
Emtech’s CBDC Innovation Kit leverages the Hedera Hashgraph as a layer 1 protocol and the ERC-20 standard for tokenization. The kit promotes relationships between central banks and fintechs regarding licensing required to go to market. Emtech’s simulated token “Beyond Cash (BYDC)” will be utilized for innovation initiatives.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
Emtech’s recent funding and innovative approach to CBDC and regtech solutions highlight the growing interest in digital currencies and the need for standardized regulation. With about 200 fintech companies on its waitlist, ready to work on the platform, Emtech is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of digital currency and financial regulation. The company’s vision aligns with the global trend towards digitizing cash infrastructure, offering a promising path towards financial inclusion and innovation in the fintech space.
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