According to a statement, the BIS Innovation Hub released the second-phase report of its Aurum project on October 13, focusing on privacy-enhancing technologies applicable to digital cash. The phase implements a privacy-preserving digital cash prototype on the existing Aurum codebase, helping policymakers understand how such technologies can address the tension between privacy and compliance in digital currencies.
The prototype adopts privacy-by-design and privacy-by-default principles, demonstrating approaches between complete anonymity and full transaction transparency while offering customizable features to meet compliance and operational requirements. The report indicates that privacy can be embedded into digital cash design through technology rather than relying solely on institutional safeguards, reducing unnecessary exposure of personal and transaction data while maintaining compliance and system integrity.