The Bank of Jamaica is planning to pilot its delayed central bank digital currency (CBDC) across financial institutions in August, according to a Jamaica Observer report.

• Speaking at a Rotary Club conference last week, Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles said there are plans to expand the trial between September and December and then gradually move toward a full-fledged launch.
• According to Byles, financial institutions will exchange CBDC with businesses and individuals at a rate of J$1 (0.07 U.S. cent) in cash to 1 CBDC.
• “We're currently looking at all the technical sides of the system and we have a sandbox in the bank that we have the whole infrastructure in,” Byles said. ”As we work through the technical minting [redeeming] of the currency, we have to test it rigorously as a pilot and that we'll do in August.”
• The bank had originally planned to begin the pilot in May, but was delayed for  unspecified reasons.
• The central bank is working with Ireland-based technology firm eCurrency Mint to support the rollout.
• As reported by CoinDesk, the government of Jamaica views the accelerated transition to a digital society and economy as vital to economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more: Jamaica to Pilot CBDC Later This Year