Antigua and Barbuda to participate in the initial rollout of the ECCB’s digital currency

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ECCB Governor Timothy Antoine
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By Theresa Goodwin

[email protected]

Antigua and Barbuda has been identified as one of four Caribbean countries that will be participating in the pilot phase of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s Digital Currency, or DCash.

ECCB Governor Timothy Antoine said the public rollout of DCash will commence on 31st March.

In his official announcement, Governor Antoine emphasises that DCash is safer, faster and cheaper and encourages all to get on board. 

 “The future of the EC Dollar is digital, so let’s make history together,” he said.

DCash is a securely minted digital version of the Eastern Caribbean dollar issued by the ECCB.

It is an innovative, real-time payment option available within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) and offers a safer, faster, cheaper method for making payments and sending/receiving funds to and from other DCash users and merchants.

Consumers can access DCash via the official App, the DCash Wallet, and conduct financial transactions using their smart devices. DCash can be obtained from participating commercial banks, credit unions or other authorised institutions.

The ECCB has partnered with Bitt Inc to develop the digital EC currency.

Speaking on the announcement, CEO of Bitt, Brian Popelka, said, “Bitt is very proud to provide the ECCB with our full stack of digital currency management systems to enhance the financial services within their member countries. The past two years of this partnership have developed from intense consultations between the Bitt team and the ECCB to our team supporting the ECCB.”

Consumers can sign up to use DCash either through a participating financial institution or via an authorised DCash agent.

Other islands participating in the pilot phase are Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia.

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