Keywords
e-hryvnia
National Bank of Ukraine
digital payments
financial inclusion
payment infrastructure
digital transformation
How to Cite
Abstract
The article examines Ukraine’s current readiness to introduce a central bank digital currency, in particular the e-hryvnia, in the context of global trends in the digitalization of payment infrastructure. It analyzes the international experience of the G20 countries and the European Union, in particular the European Central Bank’s research on the functionality of digital wallets, consumer behavior, and technical requirements for central bank digital currency. The main directions for the development of Ukraine's regulatory and institutional framework are outlined: The Law of Ukraine “On Payment Services” defined the e-hryvnia as the third form of national currency, and the NBU initiated a pilot project to test it based on DLT technology. The advantages of introducing a central bank digital currency in Ukraine have been identified, including: the availability of developed digital services (Privat24, Monobank, Diia), technological readiness, and a high level of digital interaction between the population and government systems. At the same time, barriers have been analyzed: Low financial literacy, uneven access to digital financial services, and limited trust in new instruments on the part of vulnerable groups of the population. It was concluded that technical readiness must be accompanied by a comprehensive program to raise user awareness, protect data, and ensure inclusiveness. The central bank’s digital currency in Ukraine has the potential to be a tool for expanding financial inclusion, modernizing payments, improving monetary policy, and strengthening trust in state institutions. Areas for further research were proposed: assessment of mass implementation scenarios, analysis of the privacy model, the impact of central bank digital currency on the banking sector, and interaction with private digital assets.
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