Polish expert urges Europe to lead in central bank digital currency development

Professor Zaleska, speaking at a conference organized with the Warsaw School of Economics, said that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) could become a major evolution in European payments. She noted that over 90 % of surveyed banks are already considering or implementing CBDCs, and that the European Central Bank is prepared to launch a digital euro, although legal frameworks lag behind technology. Zaleska warned that central banks fear losing their monopoly on money issuance after large‑scale private digital initiatives such as Facebook’s former Libre project. She emphasized that any CBDC rollout will likely involve cooperation between central banks and commercial banks rather than full replacement of the banking sector, and that cash will remain a safety‑net for geopolitical shocks.

The expert highlighted Poland’s openness to new payment technologies and suggested the country could act as a pioneer for modern payment solutions within Europe. She also contrasted Poland’s readiness with other European markets, citing ongoing use of paper checks in Italy, and called for European societies to adopt user‑friendly, secure digital payment instruments.