Project Sela: Research with the Bank of Israel on cybersecurity issues in the context of retail CBDC

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), together with the Bank of Israel (BOI) and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub (BISIH) Hong Kong Centre, today (17 June) announced a joint research on retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

Led by the BISIH Hong Kong Centre and building on the foundation laid by Project Aurum¹, Project Sela² will take a deep dive into cybersecurity issues in the context of retail CBDC.  In particular, it will study the data security implications of a two-tier retail CBDC architecture where the intermediaries will have no financial exposure, and pioneer methods of rendering it more resilient to cyber attacks.  The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Mr Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA, said, “We are pleased to team up with the BOI and the BISIH Hong Kong Centre to conduct Project Sela.  Not only is the tripartite project a significant milestone in the HKMA’s CBDC journey, it also marks the first collaboration between Hong Kong and Israel on the fintech front.  We trust that with the expertise offered by Israel, a global leader in cybersecurity, the findings of the joint project would add to the wealth of knowledge on CBDC and contribute to the common good of the international central banking community.”

Andrew Abir, Deputy Governor of the BOI, said, “Providing an efficient payment system that will increase competition in the payment market is one of the primary motivations we’ve identified for a possible issuance of a digital shekel – an Israeli CBDC. We are delighted for the opportunity to test this model together with excellent and experienced partners such as the BIS Innovation Hub and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Accessing Israel’s well known experience in cybersecurity is a great opportunity to support the global research of CBDCs.”

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
17 June 2022