IMF releases Fintech and Financial Services: Initial Considerations - staff discussion note

Amidst a growing body of global thought leadership on blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its "Fintech and Financial Services: Initial Considerations" staff discussion note on 19 June 2017 (IMF Paper)¹.

The IMF Paper provides an excellent and accessible summary of the opportunities presented by fintech (and in particular, DLT) for the financial services sector. Given the IMF's mandate to promote the stability of the international monetary system, it focusses on rapidly changing cross-border payments. It highlights three areas:

1. Technology and regulation
2. Central bank digital currencies
3. Re-shaping cross-border payments.