Nepal, April 17 -- The global conversation around Central Bank Digital Currencies, or CBDCs, is gaining momentum. In countries like the United States, there's a growing debate not about whether such technology is possible but about how it should be regulated and used. Stablecoins backed by the US dollar have attained support for settling payments and sending money across borders. However, the future of a digital dollar issued by the US government remains uncertain.

Because of this uncertainty, some countries may pause or change their plans to develop a CBDC. But for Nepal, this moment offers a unique opportunity. Introducing a digital version of the Nepali rupee, which is programmable and issued by the central bank, can help us improve o...