Financial privacy in CBDCs: standards, designs, and comparative adoption

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2026-2823

Keywords:

CBDC, financial privacy, digital euro, anonymity, offline payments, data protection, adoption, data governance

Abstract

Introduction: This research examines how central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) reshape financial privacy by replacing anonymous cash transactions with traceable digital records. Methodology: This article is designed as a descriptive qualitative study, based on documentary and comparative analysis, and supported by public, regulatory, academic, and technical sources. Methodologically, it combines documentary analysis with a comparative case study (EU, China, Nigeria, Jamaica, Sweden, and the Bahamas), together with the examination of multi-CBDC projects (Jura and Dunbar). Results: The results show that the most robust frameworks integrate “privacy by design,” data minimization, and identity-transaction separation, with highly private offline payments (EU). China applies “controllable anonymity” through KYC thresholds; the Bahamas adopts levels by limits; Jamaica requires universal KYC with full traceability; Nigeria operates on a permissioned network with broad central bank access, which is associated with low adoption. Cross-border pilots validate technical feasibility but show that governance and minimal data sharing are the bottlenecks.  Discussions: The discussion highlights that architectural choices reflect policy priorities and condition trust: offline, thresholds, and independent audits improve acceptability.  Conclusions: Only a CBDC with verifiable guarantees and “cash-like” experiences will achieve sustained adoption; without them, the perception of surveillance prevails and usage is marginal.

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Author Biographies

Pablo García González, Catholic University of Ávila

He holds a law degree from the Catholic University of Ávila (2025) and is currently studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management at the same university. He is currently working as a commercial banking trainee at Deutsche Bank AG.

Sergio Luis Nañez Aloso, Catholic University of Ávila

PhD in Law and Economics from CEU-San Pablo University (2019), awarded with first-class honours by unanimous decision. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law (UCAV, 2010), a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management (UCAV, 2011; awarded the prize for the best final-year academic record) and a Master’s degree in Environment and Sustainable Development (UCAV-UEMC, 2012). He has been accredited by ANECA as a Contracted Doctoral Lecturer, Private University Lecturer and Assistant Doctoral Lecturer since 26 March 2021. He holds a recognised six-year research period (2019–2024) from CNEAI-ANECA.

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Published

2026-04-10

How to Cite

García González, P., & Nañez Aloso, S. L. (2026). Financial privacy in CBDCs: standards, designs, and comparative adoption. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 11, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2026-2823

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