| In the section | Review, Discussion, Criticism |
| Title of the article | Expansion of Central Bank Digital Currencies: A Comparative Analysis With Cash and Crypto-Assets |
| Pages | 152-184 |
| Author | Husan Sunatullaevich Umarov Candidate of Sciences (Economics), General Director KVELL LLC 1 Zhemchuzhnaya St., Moscow, 108815, Russian Federation This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ORCID: 0000-0001-6370-3000 |
| Abstract | The research material is devoted to a review of scientific publications by Russian and foreign authors on the distribution of central bank digital currencies in comparison with cash and private crypto-assets. The subject of the study is the possibilities and risks of central bank digital currencies compared to cash and crypto-assets.The objectives of the study are to study the prerequisites for the transformation of the payment landscape in the world, analyze the economic opportunities and risks of using this type of monetary settlement, and build predictive use cases in the short and long term. The author uses comparative, analytical and statistical methods of a general scientific systematic approach. The review protocol covers databases (ResearchGate, Academia.edu, e-library, Google Scholar, BIS / IMF / ECB repositories), search queries in Russian and English, the period 2017–2025, and includes inclusion / exclusion criteria: peer-reviewed articles, central bank working papers and reports of international organizations (BIS, IMF, ECB, WEF); sources lacking scientific apparatus were excluded.Among the results of the study: systematization of the array of scientific data of domestic and foreign experts in the field of digital currencies (both secured and not secured by the state) obtained in the period from 2017 to 2025, fixation of real opportunities and potential risks of development, consolidation of gaps in the study of these forms of calculations. As a conclusion, the author establishes the need for a competent approach in the field of legal regulation of digital currencies in Russia. The complete transition to digital currencies of central banks, as well as the categorical rejection of cash forms of money, seems premature to the author |
| Code | 336.74 (045) |
| JEL | G21, G28, O32 |
| DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.14530/se.2026.2.152-184 |
| Keywords | expansion, central bank digital currencies, CBDC, cash, crypto-assets, payment landscape, cross-country analysis |
| Download | |
| For citation | Umarov H.S. Expansion of Central Bank Digital Currencies: A Comparative Analysis With Cash and Crypto-Assets. Prostranstvennaya Ekonomika = Spatial Economics, 2026, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 152–184. https://dx.doi.org/10.14530/se.2026.2.152-184 (In Russian) |
| References | 1. Abramova M.A. Money vs Digital Currency in the Context of Contemporary Money Theory. Finansy, Dengi, Investitsii = Finances, Money, Investments, 2020, no. 3, pp. 9–13. (In Russian). 2. Aganin A.D., Manevich V.A., Peresetsky A.A., Pogorelova P.V Comparison of Cryptocurrency and Stock Market Volatility Forecast Models. Ekonomicheskiy Zhurnal Vysshey Shkoly Ekonomiki = Higher School of Economics Economic Journal, 2023, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 49–77. (In Russian). 3. Ahnert T., Assenmacher K., Hoffmann P., Leonello A., Monnet C., Porcellacchia D. The Economics of Central Bank Digital Currency. ECB. Working Paper Series No. 2713, 2022, 50 р. Available at: (accessed December 2025). 4. Akimov O.M. Prospects for the Circulation of Digital Money by Central Banks. Bankovskoe Delo = Banking, 2020, no. 8, pp. 49–52. (In Russian). 5. Alfonso V., Kamin S., Zampolli F. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Latin American Journal of Central Banking, 2024, vol. 6, issue 1. 100140. 6. Almeida J., Cruz T. A Systematic Literature Review of Volatility and Risk Management on Cryptocurrency Investment: A Methodological Point of View. Risks, 2022, vol. 10, issue 5, pp. 2–18. 7. Alonso S.L., Jorge-Vazquez J., Forradellas R.F.R. Central Banks Digital Currency: Detection of Optimal Countries for the Implementation of a CBDC and the Implication for Payment Industry Open Innovation. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 2021, vol. 7, issue 1. 72. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/joitmc7010072 8. An In-Depth Look at Crypto-Crime in 2023. Тrend Micro, 2024. Available at: (accessed December 2025). 9. Analysis of the Withdrawal System of Funds Stolen From Citizens of the Russian Federation. Problems and Measures. Sberbank, 2022, 29 p. Available at: (accessed November 2025). (In Russian). 10. Andryushin S.A. Digital Currency of the Central Bank as the Third Form of Money of the State. Aktualnye Problemy Ekonomiki i Prava = Actual Problems of Economics and Law, 2021, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 54–76. (In Russian). 11. Angerer M., Hoffman C.H., Neitzert F., Kraus S. Objective and Subjective Risks of Inve-sting Into Cryptocurrencies. Finance Research Letters, 2021, vol. 40. 101737. 12. Arsi S., Khelifa B.S., Ghabri Y., Mzoughi H. Cryptocurrencies: Key Risks and Challenges. Cryptofinance: A New Currency for a New Economy. World Scientific Publishing Company, 2021, pp. 121–145. 13. Berentsen A., Schar F. The Case for Central Bank Electronic Money and the Non-Case for Central Bank Cryptocurrencies. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Review, 2018, vol. 100, no. 2, pp. 97–106. 14. Bouza S., Hlayhel B., Crown T., Miccoli M., Mircheva B., Polo G., Sakha S., Yang Y. Central Bank Digital Currencies in the Middle East and Central Asia. International Monetary Fund, 2024, 68 р. 15. Bruzge R., Сerneviсiene J., Sapkauskiene A., Maсerinskiene A., Maсerinskiene S., Driaunys K. Stylized Facts, Volatility Dynamics and Risk Measures of Cryptocurrencies. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 2023, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 527–550. 16. Burchardi K., Mikhalev I., Song B., Kok S.A. Get Ready for the Future of Money. BCG, 2020. 8 р. Available at: (accessed December 2025). 17. Burlachkov V.K., Nikitina S.A. Digital Currencies of Central Banks: Special Features and Possibilities of Use. Finansy i Kredit = Finance and Credit, 2022, vol. 28, no. 7, pp. 1452–1469. (In Russian). 18. CBDC-Navigator: An Overview of Key Research. MINDSMITH, 2021. Available at: (accessed December 2025). (In Russian). 19. Central Bank Digital Currency Global Interoperability Principles. World Economic Forum. White Paper, 2023, 38 p. Available at: (accessed November 2025). 20. Cheng H. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and Its Potential Impact on the Chinese Economy. Economics Management and Political Sciences, 2023, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 121–127. https://dx.doi.org/10.54254/2754-1169/33/20231646 21. Cherenkova S.A., Matnenko N.N. The Potential and Risk of Digital Currency Expansion for the Financial System. Nauchnoe Obozrenie. Ekonomicheskie Nauki [Scientific Review. Economic Sciences], 2022, no. 3, pp. 22–31. (In Russian). 22. Chiu I.H.-Y. A New Era in Fintech Payment Innovations? A Perspective from the Institutions and Regulation of Payment Systems. Law, Innovation and Technology, 2017, vol. 9, issue 2, pp. 190–234. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17579961.2017.1377912 23. Corbett S., McHugh G., Meegan A. The Influence of Central Bank Monetary Policy Announcements on Cryptocurrency Returns Volatility. Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 2017, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 60–72. https://dx.doi.org/10.21511/imfi.14(4).2017.07 24. Cryptocurrencies: Trends, Risks, Measures. Bank of Russia, 2022, 37 p. Available at: (accessed November 2025). (In Russian). 25. Digital Currency Governance Consortium. World Economic Forum, 2024. Available at: (accessed November 2025). 26. Dolgieva M.M., Dolgiev M.M. The Legal Regime of International Sanctions and the Digital Ruble. Imushchestvennye Otnosheniya v RF = Property Relations in the Russian Federation, 2023, no. 3 (258), pp. 59–65. (In Russian). 27. Dyakonov R.V. Prospects for the CBDC Introduction in the World and in Russia. Voprosy Upravleniya = Management Issues, 2023, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 5–18. (In Russian). 28. Eriskina N.V., Khrestolubov A.S., Kukartsev A.D. The Problem of Corrution Activities Involving Cash. Aktualnye Issledovaniya [Current Research], 2023, no. 44-2 (174). Available at: (accessed January 2026). (In Russian). 29. Fabris N. Cashless Society – The Future of Money or a Utopia? Journal of Central Ban-king Theory and Practice, 2019, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 53–66. https://dx.doi.org/10.2478/jcbtp-2019-0003 30. Fadeikina N.V., Pilova F.I. To the Question of the Need to Reorganize the Transformation of the World Monetary and Financial System in the Context of Global Crisis Phenomena and Multipolarity. Sibirskaya Finansovaya Shkola = Siberian Financial School, 2022, no. 4, pp. 61–70. (In Russian). 31. Fazendeiro P., Almeida P., Inacio P.R. Societal Risks of the end of Physical Cash. Futures, 2018, vol. 104, pp. 47–60. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2018.07.004 32. Gabov A.V. A Digital Ruble of the Central Bank as a Civil Rights Object. Aktualnye Problemy Rossiyskogo Prava = Actual Problems of Russian Law, 2021, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 55–65. (In Russian). 33. Gorodnova N.V. Specifics and Prospects of Central Bank Digital Currency. Voprosy Innovatsionnoy Ekonomiki = Russian Journal of Innovation Economics, 2023, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 1573–1590. (In Russian). 34. Gorodnova N.V. The Digital Ruble: An Analysis of Prospects and Consequences. Ekonomicheskaya Bezopasnost = Economic Security, 2021, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 671–684. (In Russian). 35. Grigoriev V.V. National Digital Currency as a Factor of The Russia’s Economic Revival. Ekonomika, Nalogi, Pravo = Economics, Taxes & Law, 2019, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 30–36. (In Russian). 36. Gupta H., Chaudhary R. An Empirical Study of Volatility in Cryptocurrency Market. Journal of Risk Financial Management, 2022, vol. 15, no. 11, pp. 5–13. 37. Hasan A., Othman A., Alhabshi M.S., Haron R. Cryptocurrencies, Fiat Money or Gold Standard: An Empirical Evidence from Volatility Structure Analysis Using News Impact Curve. International Journal of Monetary Economics and Finance, 2019, vol. 12, issue 2, pp. 75–97. https://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJMEF.2019.100262 38. Hileman G., Rauchs M. Global Blockchain Benchmarking Study. SSRN, 2017, pp. 35–118. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3040224 39. Humphrey D., Khiaonarong T. Falling Use of Cash and Demand for Retail Central Bank Digital Currency. IMF. Working Paper No. 2022/027, 2022, 25 p. Available at: (accessed December 2025). 40. Kethineni S., Ying С. The Rise in Popularity of Cryptocurrency and Associated Criminal Activity. International Criminal Justice Review, 2019, vol. 30, issue 3, pp. 1–20. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1057567719827051 41. Khripkov M.P. Shadow Economy and Corruption. Vestneyk Finansovogo Universiteta = Bulletin of the Financial University, 2013, vol. 2, no. 74, pp. 98–103. (In Russian). 42. Kiriyakova N.I. The Ratio of Cash and Non-Cash in the Modern Economy: Displacement or Preservation? Vestnik Altayskoy Akademii Ekonomiki i Prava [Bulletin of the Altai Academy of Economics and Law], 2020, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 534–539. (In Russian). 43. Kochergin D. Central Banks Digital Currencies: World Experience. World Economy and International Relations, 2021, vol. 65, no. 5, pp. 68–77. https://dx.doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2021-65-5-68-77 (In Russian) 44. Kosse A., Mattei I. Making Headway – Results of the 2022 BIS Survey on Central Bank Digital Currencies and Crypto. BIS. Papers No. 136, 2023, 30 p. Available at: (accessed December 2025). 45. Kostina O.I., Kuzina N.S., Davydova A.V. Digital Ruble: A New Era of Money Technologies. Vestnik Altayskoy Akademii Ekonomiki i Prava [Bulletin of the Altai Academy of Economics and Law], 2024, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 215–219. (In Russian). 46. Krueger M., Seitz F. Costs and Benefits of Cash and Cashless Payment Instrument. Deutsche Bundesbank, 2014, 124 p. 47. Krylov G.O., Lisitsyn L.I., Polyakov L.I. Comparative Analysis of Volatility of Cryptocurrencies and Fiat Money. Finansy: Teoriya i Praktika = Finance: Theory and Practice, 2018, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 66–89. (In Russian). 48. Kuzmin M.S. National Digital Currencies: An Analysis of Russian and International Implementation Experience. Cifra. Ekonomika = Cifra. Economics, 2024, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 1–6. (In Russian). 49. Kuzmina O.Yu., Konovalova M.E. Central Bank Digital Currency as a New Form of Money. Kreativnaya Ekonomika = Creative Economy, 2023, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 1347–1366. (In Russian). 50. Kuznetsov A.V. Digital Currencies and Sovereign Risks. Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), 2022b. Available at: (accessed December 2025). (In Russian). 51. Kuznetsov A.V. Imperatives for Transformation of the International Monetary System in the Conditions of Multipolarity. Finansy: Teoriya i Praktika = Finance: Theory and Practice, 2022a, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 190–203. (In Russian). 52. Lanquist A., Tan B. Central Bank Digital Currency Role in Promoting Financial Inclusion. Fintech Notes, 2023, no. 011, pp. 1–37. 53. Levulyte L., Sapkauskiene A. Cryptocurrency in Context of Fiat Money Functions. The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, 2021, vol. 82, pp. 44–54. 54. Maslennikov V.V., Larionov A.V. Digital Currencies: Conceptualization of Risks and Regulatory Opportunities. Mir Novoy Ekonomiki = The World of New Economy, 2021, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 16–28. (In Russian). 55. Mazhara YE.N., Sharifyanova Z.F. Prospects for the Development of Cash Circulation Under the Conditions of Change of the Organizational and Economic Mechanism. Ekonomika i Upravlenie: Nauchno-Prakticheskiy Zhurnal = Economics and Management: Research and Practice Journal, 2023, no. 1 (169), pp. 31-36. (In Russian). 56. Mikhaylishin A.Yu. Prerequisites for the Emergence and World Experience in the Introduction of Digital Currencies of Central Banks. Aktualnye Problemy Ekonomiki i Pra-va = Actual Problems of Economics and Law, 2021, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 294–307. (In Russian). 57. Mulyanil S., Siti M., Le H.H., Trung H. Legal Construction of Crypto Assets as Objects of Fiduciary Collateral. Law Reform, 2022, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 25–39. 58. Ozili P.K. A Survey of Central Bank Digital Currency Adoption in African Countries. The Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa. Edited by D. Mhlanga, E. Ndhlovu. Springer Cham, 2023, pp. 273–289. 59. Pimenov N.A. Corruption Problems in Russia. Vestneyk Finansovogo Universiteta = Bulletin of the Financial University, 2011, vol. 64, no. 4, pp. 21–26. (In Russian). 60. Qaroush Z., Zakarneh S., Dawabsheh A. Cryptocurrencies Advantages and Disadvantages: A Review. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Smart Technologies, 2022, vol. 4, issue 1, pp. 1–20. https://dx.doi.org/10.24071/ijasst.v4i1.4610 61. Safiullin M.R., Elshin L.A., Abdukaeva A.A. Legalization of the Crypto Currency Market: Opportunities and Risks for National Economic Systems. Periodico do Nucleo de Estudos e Pesquisas sobre Genero e Direito Centro de Ciencias Juridicas, 2019, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 392–404. 62. Sakharov D.M. Central Bank Digital Currencies: Key Aspects and Impact on the Financial System. Finansy: Teoriya i Praktika = Finance: Theory and Practice, 2021, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 133–149. (In Russian). 63. Sannikova L.V. Legal Framework for Central Bank Digital Currencies and the Digital Ruble. Finansoviy Zhurnal = Financial Journal, 2023, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 27–44. (In Russian). 64. Sannikova L.V. Risks of Using Cryptoassets in Russia and the Potential for Mitigation. Finansoviy Zhurnal = Financial Journal, 2022, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 124–138. (In Russian). 65. Sannikova L.V., Kharitonova Yu.S. Issues of Establishment of Legal Regimes of New Digital Objects of Commerce. Pravo i Biznes = Law and Business, 2019, no. 1, pp. 37–39. (In Russian). 66. Sariev G.S. The Digital Ruble as a New Form of the National Currency of the Russian Federation. Molodoi Uchenyi [Young Scientist], 2023, no. 52 (499), pp. 308–310. (In Russian). 67. Selivanov A.I. Geopolitical and Geo-Economic Causes of Corruption in Russia. Gosudarstvennaya Vlast i Mestnoe Samoupravlenie = State Power and Local Self-government, 2010, no. 5, pp. 35–43. (In Russian). 68. Singh A., Parapallicherayi D., Pattamookkil A. A Review of Central Bank Digital Currency. Ushus Journal of Business Management, 2022, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 79–95. https://dx.doi.org/10.12725/ujbm.58.5 69. Sliman A.I. Digital Currencies of Central Banks: Problems and Prospects of Implementation. Vestnik Evraziyskoy Nauki = The Eurasian Scientific Journal, 2023, vol. 15, no. S6, pp. 1–9. (In Russian). 70. Sukhova E.A., Sysoeva O.D. Digital Ruble in the Economy: Problems and Prospects for Implementation. Aktualnye Issledovaniya [Current Research], 2023, no. 47-2 (177). Available at: (accessed January 2026). (In Russian). 71. The Digital Ruble. The Bank of Russia, 2020, 47 p. Available at: (accessed November 2025). (In Russian). 72. The Future of Physical vs Digital Currency: Banknotes in a Digital World to 2032. Smithers, 2022. Available at: (accessed November 2025). 73. The Macroeconomic Impact of Cryptocurrency and Stablecoins. World Economic Forum, 2022. Available at: (accessed December 2025). 74. The Role of Cash. European Central Bank, 2024. Available at: (accessed November 2025). 75. Tyshtikbayeva A.Z., Zhanseitov A.T., Borisova E.V., Turusbekov A.E. Cryptocurrency: Permanent Money Substitute or Another Temporary Trend. Bulletin of Karaganda University, 2020, vol. 98, no. 2, pp. 107–115. https://dx.doi.org/10.31489/2020Ec2/107-115 76. Tyurina A.V Digital Ruble of the Central Bank as the Third Form of State Money. Nauka.me [Science.me], 2021, no. 2, pp. 67–71. (In Russian). 77. Urquhart A., Marra M., Dionysopoulos L. Central Bank Digital Currencies: A Critical Review. International Review of Financial Analysis, 2024, vol. 91. 103031. 78. Vaganova O.V., Bykanova N.I., Sorokin I.I., Kononykhin D.I. Digital Ruble: Prospects of Implementation and Ways of Integration into the Financial System of Russia. Ekonomika. Informatika = Economics. Information Technologies, 2021, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 507–513. (In Russian). 79. Vaganova O.V., Sidibe M., Pryadko E.A. Research and Analysis of Digital Currencies of the Central Banks (CBDC). Ekonomika. Informatika = Economics. Information Technologies, 2022, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 536–545. (In Russian). 80. Valle de G.H., Mejia K.C., Zabal B.P., Girault M.A.G., Gonzalez P.V. CEMLA’s Survey on Central Bank Digital Currencies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Latin American Journal of Central Banking, 2024, vol. 5, issue 4. 100135. 81. Velickovic J., Velickovic M., Jovovic M., Duricani J. Risks Related to Cryptocurrencies. 1st International Scientific Conference on Economy. Management and Information Technologies – ICEMIT 2023, 2023, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 245–251. https://dx.doi.org/10.46793/ICEMIT23.245V 82. Viktorov E.V., Zakharova O.V. Volatility of Cryptocurrencies: A Campaign of the Theory of Information Efficiency of the Market. Finansovye Rynki i Banki = Financial Markets and Banks, 2022, no. 12, pp. 29–33. (In Russian). 83. Williamson S., 2022. Central Bank Digital Currency: Welfare and Policy Implications. Journal of Political Economy, 2022, vol. 130, no. 11, pp. 2829–2861. 84. Yu Zhixiu, On the Coexistence of Cryptocurrency and Fiat Money. Review of Economic Dynamics, 2023, vol. 49, pp. 147–180. 85. Zakharov A.V. The Digital Ruble in the System of Objects of Civil Law. Voprosy Rossiyskoy Yustitcii = Issues of Russian Justice, 2024, no. 29, pp. 129–139. (In Russian). |
| Financing | |
| Submitted | 08.12.2025 |
| Approved after reviewing | 25.03.2026 |
| Accepted for publication | 28.04.2026 |
| Available online | 30.06.2026 |
