Evaluation of factors affecting the acceptance of Central Bank Digital Currency in Iran

Technological advancements have transformed the payments industry. In the competition between banknotes and alternative instruments such as debit cards and mobile payments, the question of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) has emerged in recent years and sparked much debate. This research examines the factors influencing public adoption of CBDC in two parts. From a macroeconomic perspective, demand for money encompasses the demand for the various functions of money—such as a means of payment and as a type of asset. Drawing on conventional theories of money demand, we analyze this demand over the long term. Since CBDC is essentially fiat money with characteristics similar to physical currency, but does not compete with cash due to the latter’s unique features (e.g., anonymity), it serves as a better substitute for demand deposits. With this view of CBDC, the findings related to demand deposits can be attributed to CBDC demand. In this study, using data on the number of point-of-sale (POS) terminals, debit cards, and ATMs, a logistic model is estimated to calculate a digital development index for Iran’s economy. One key result is the positive and significant effect of this digital development index on demand for demand deposits (as a proxy for CBDC demand), and its negative and significant effect on demand for banknotes. In the second part, CBDC is examined as a payment instrument. Here, the factors influencing CBDC adoption are categorized into four groups: technological, demographic, financial-economic, and operational.