The Bahamas is taking decisive steps to increase the adoption of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), known as the “Sand Dollar.” Introduced in 2020, the Sand Dollar was among the first CBDCs globally. However, its uptake has been slower than anticipated, prompting new legislative measures.
Mandating Bank Involvement
John Rolle, the governor of the Central Bank of the Bahamas, announced plans to introduce legislation that would require commercial banks to support the Sand Dollar. In a June 2 report from Reuters, Rolle acknowledged the less-than-ideal adoption rates and emphasized the need for banks to distribute the digital currency.
Rolle stated that the necessary regulations should be enforceable within the next two years. “We foresee a process where all of the commercial banks will eventually be in that space, and they will be required to provide their clients with access to the central bank digital currency,” he said.
Current Adoption Challenges
Despite being launched nearly four years ago, the Sand Dollar currently represents less than 1% of the currency in circulation in the Bahamas. Additionally, the total volume of Sand Dollar wallet top-ups fell significantly, from $49.8 million between January and August 2022 to just $12 million in the same period in 2023.
To improve these figures, the Central Bank of the Bahamas believes that requiring commercial banks to support the Sand Dollar is essential, even though it will necessitate significant technological updates for the banks involved.
Global Context and Comparisons
The Bahamas is not alone in facing challenges with CBDC adoption. China, which has been piloting its digital currency (e-CNY), has encountered resistance from government workers who prefer traditional cash, citing limited usability and concerns about government surveillance.
Similarly, Nigeria, Africa’s pioneer in CBDCs, has struggled to increase uptake. As of mid-2023, less than 1% of Nigerians with bank accounts had eNaira wallets, and fewer than 1.5% of those wallets were actively used on a weekly basis.
Historical Milestone
The Bahamas made history by becoming the first country to roll out a CBDC nationwide in October 2020, distributing the Sand Dollar to all 393,000 residents. Despite this early lead, the country continues to work towards enhancing the digital currency’s adoption and integration into the financial system.
