The balance interest calculation and ecosystem upgrade of digital RMB are accelerating its large-scale application
According to the latest interpretation by official media, starting from January 1, 2026, digital RMB has achieved a key upgrade in functionality and ecosystem, marking a new stage in its development. The most significant change is that digital RMB has officially moved beyond its interest-free era and will now begin to pay interest on wallet balances.
However, not all wallets can enjoy this benefit. According to regulations, only the balances in Class I, II, and III wallets that have completed real-name authentication are eligible for interest calculation at the interest rate of commercial bank current deposits. Class IV non-real-name wallets, due to the inability to verify the account holder, do not have interest calculation functionality. This measure also balances inclusivity with financial security.
Alongside the interest calculation upgrade, a major expansion of the application ecosystem is underway. Starting January 1, in addition to the approved operating institutions, mobile banking apps from participating banks, as well as major payment platforms widely used in daily life such as WeChat and Alipay, will gradually gain the authority to open digital RMB wallets.
This significant opening means that in the future, users will be able to directly open and use digital RMB wallets within Alipay or WeChat, greatly reducing the usage barrier and potentially driving widespread adoption.
A senior expert on digital RMB clarified in their interpretation that the technical concept of digital RMB's "smart contracts" fundamentally differs from the "on-chain" smart contracts familiar to the public on platforms like Ethereum blockchain.
The expert pointed out that digital RMB is not built on a blockchain; instead, its underlying infrastructure is a "single ledger" account system jointly maintained by the central bank and commercial banks.
In this system, "smart contracts" have programmable features but do not affect the core functions of money, primarily serving specific scenarios such as targeted payments and automatic execution, rather than building decentralized applications.
In summary, this upgrade outlines the development trajectory of digital RMB, which does not aim to replicate or replace any existing cryptocurrencies or public blockchains. Instead, it is grounded in national credit and the existing financial system, aiming to enhance the payment functionality, programmability, and inclusiveness of legal tender through technological innovation.
#数字人民币 #央行