The E-Banknote as a 'Banknote': A Monetary Law Interpreted

Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Forthcoming

Osgoode Legal Studies Research Paper, Forthcoming

44 Pages Posted: 5 May 2021 Last revised: 28 Jun 2021

See all articles by Benjamin Geva

Benjamin Geva

York University - Osgoode Hall Law School

Seraina N. Grunewald

University of St. Gallen (HSG); Radboud University Nijmegen; EUSFIL Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence

Corinne Zellweger-Gutknecht

University of Zurich; University of Basel

Date Written: May 3, 2021

Abstract

The article discusses whether an electronic banknote is a ‘banknote’. The issue is dealt with as a matter of general statutory interpretation in the context of evolving technologies and institutional arrangements. The article proposes a clear terminology to address concepts underlying digital currencies and access to central bank money and argues that a banknote may be ‘written’ electronically. The article is critical of both account-based Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and cryptocurrencies and highlights features of nonblockchain token-based alternatives. It sheds light on considerations affecting the selection of a design which is appropriate from both a functional and legal perspective and addresses architectural models for the issuance of e-banknotes.

Keywords: banknote, e-banknote, digital currency, CBDC, cryptocurrency, central bank, ECB, legal tender, monetary law

JEL Classification: E40, E42, E51, E52, E58, G21, G28, H41, H44, K00, K23, O33, O52

Suggested Citation

Geva, Benjamin and Grunewald, Seraina and Zellweger-Gutknecht, Corinne, The E-Banknote as a 'Banknote': A Monetary Law Interpreted (May 3, 2021). Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, Forthcoming, Osgoode Legal Studies Research Paper, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3838739 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3838739

Benjamin Geva (Contact Author)

York University - Osgoode Hall Law School ( email )

4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Canada
416 736 5045 (Phone)
416 736 5736 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: https://www.osgoode.yorku.ca/faculty-and-staff/geva-benjamin/

Seraina Grunewald

University of St. Gallen (HSG) ( email )

St.Gallen, 9000
Switzerland

Radboud University Nijmegen ( email )

Postbus 9108
Nijmegen, 6500 HK
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.ru.nl/english/people/grunewald-s/

EUSFIL Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence ( email )

Italy

Corinne Zellweger-Gutknecht

University of Zurich

Rämistrasse 71
Zürich, CH-8006
Switzerland

University of Basel ( email )

Peter-Merian-Weg 8
Basel, CH-4003
Switzerland

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