This paper examines the institutional design of the EU European and Monetary Union. Specifically, it analyses five different institutions that have been set up in the post-financial crisis period, namely the three European Supervisory Authorities (ESMA, EBA and EIOPA), the European Financial...

In recent years, many money and repo rates in the United States have been between zero and 25 basis points. As Fed's liftoff approaches, the question of the level of these rates (and the markets that determine them) becomes increasingly important. The paper discusses (i) whether the Fed can...

This paper focuses on how changes in financial plumbing of the markets may impact themonetary policy options as central banks contemplate lift off from zero lower bound (ZLB). Under the proposed regulations, banks will face leverage ratio constraints. As a result of quantitative easing (QE),...

Immediately after the outbreak of the current pandemic crisis, the EU developed a (rather) consistent strategy, by taking measures in order to deal with health emergency needs, support economic activity and employment, preserve monetary and financial stability and prepare the ground for...

From its inception, the Federal Reserve has operated payment systems that let banks move money for their customers. Checks, wire transfers, and electronic consumer payments all happen thanks to the Federal Reserve. Congress by statute specified which banks get access to the Fed’s payment...

Due to technological change and the rise of private digital currencies more and more central banks investigate the possibility of issuing their own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). This paper develops a conceptual framework, which shows how the issuance of CBDC and the provision of access...

This paper explores the interface between central banks and cryptocurrencies. Focusing on the European Central Bank (ECB), it identifies the potential threats that the rise of cryptocurrencies would pose to the basic and ancillary tasks of the ECB, in particular, its monetary policy operations...

Breakthroughs in financial technology (fintech), ranging from early coins and banknotes to card payments, e-money, mobile payments, and more recently, cryptocurrencies portend transformative changes to the financial and monetary systems. Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrencies bear a significant...

In this paper we study the macroeconomic effects of introducing a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). Using a two agent framework and endowment economy with banked and unbanked households, we show digital currencies address financial inclusion of the unbanked, by providing a savings...

This paper analyzes whether and how central banks can use currency options to lower exchange rate volatility and maintain (implicit) target zones in foreign exchange markets. It argues that selling rather than buying options will result in market makers dynamically hedging their long option...