Digital Currency ‘Sand Dollar’ Launched by the Bahamas

The Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBOB) has introduced a digital version of the Bahamian dollar, starting with a pilot phase in Exuma in December 2019. The digital currency will then be extended to Abaco in the first half of 2020.

This initiative is termed as ‘Project Sand Dollar’ and the digital currency is also the name given to the proposed central bank digital currency (CBDC). The initiative is a continuation of the Bahamian Payments System Modernization Initiative (PSMI) which began in the early 2000s. 

The CBB said in a statement, “The Bahamian PSMI targets improved outcomes for financial inclusion and access, making the domestic payments system more efficient and non-discriminatory in access to financial services.”

The bank did mention that the digital currency is not a stable coin or a cryptocurrency but is just a digital version of the existing paper currency. The intention behind the digital currency is to help smooth things over for people who don’t have access to a physical bank. 

The press release further stresses that the bank is doing its best to make sure the services are available to everyone and streamlined to be as fast as they can be. This process includes accelerating payments system reform, adding new categories of financial service providers and using the digital payments infrastructure to ensure the accessibility of traditional banking services for everyone. 

There will be certain limitations on the sand dollar as well. For now, businesses cant have more than $1 million in their digital accounts and residents max out at $500. Businesses aren’t allowed to transact more than one-eighth of their digital wealth per month as well. 

According to the Governor of CBOB, John Rolle, the conditions are favorable for the more widespread adoption of electronic payment systems. 

Insights from #Exuma vs the #Bahamas ahead of our digital currency pilot. Conditions are favourable for more widespread adoption of electronic payments.

Read more in our publication about #ProjectSandDollar#CBDC, #FinancialInclusionhttps://t.co/aMmCYjeF3k pic.twitter.com/bmVuXtyM0I

— John Rolle (@GovernorCBOB) December 25, 2019