China’s central bank has announced plans to enhance the functionality and expand adoption of the digital yuan in 2026, following a pilot cross-border transaction with Laos. Officials framed the update as a move toward wider international use of the currency and improved payment features.
China has executed the first consumer retail payment across borders using the digital yuan in Laos, a milestone in the e‑CNY’s international rollout. The move aims to make everyday transactions for travelers and merchants faster and more convenient.
Forty‑eight jurisdictions have agreed to new cross‑border crypto data‑sharing and reporting standards, increasing tax transparency and oversight. The move is designed to fold digital assets more tightly into mainstream finance while curbing tax evasion.
Taiwan plans to integrate stablecoins into its financial system and limit initial issuance to licensed banks to lower cross-border settlement costs and boost regulatory oversight. Authorities see bank-issued stablecoins as a way to streamline trade payments while containing risk.
Mastercard is expanding its stablecoin-based settlement capability to the UAE through a partnership with Abu Dhabi–based ADI Foundation, covering both domestic and cross-border payments. The move could accelerate settlement times and support the UAE's broader digital finance ambitions.
The South African Reserve Bank says there is no urgent case for a retail central bank digital currency and recommends prioritizing wholesale and cross-border CBDC work instead. The conclusion comes in a report released on Nov. 27, 2025.
The UAE, represented by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Central Bank of the UAE, completed the first cross‑border CBDC payment to China using the mBridge (Jisr) network. The transaction marks an early interoperability milestone for central bank digital currencies.
Brazil is considering taxing cryptocurrencies used for international payments to close a loophole in its foreign-exchange tax, two officials told Reuters. The move could reshape remittance flows and affect exchanges and payment providers if implemented.
UBS and Ant International will pilot tokenized bank deposits in Singapore to enable instant cross-border payments and sharper liquidity management as part of one of the city‑state’s largest blockchain projects. The trial targets longstanding treasury bottlenecks by testing tokenized cash for corporate and institutional use.
Mastercard announced a partnership with Thunes to enable stablecoin wallet payouts on its global platform, aiming to speed up digital settlements and broaden cross-border payout options.