The Digester

China adds 12 banks to digital yuan network

Mar 20th 2026

China will add 12 commercial banks to its central bank digital currency network, broadening the e-CNY’s operational footprint as commercial banks take on everyday functions and compliance under central bank oversight.

  • Twelve commercial banks will join China’s e-CNY system, expanding the number of integrated banks from 10 to 22.
  • The new entrants include seven national joint-stock banks and five city commercial banks, among them the Bank of Ningbo.
  • Under central bank supervision, these banks will handle wallet opening, currency exchange, payment processing, and compliance checks such as anti-money laundering and ID verification.
  • The move follows Beijing’s pledge to scale up the digital yuan in its latest five-year plan and a draft Finance Law that treats e-CNY as fiat currency equivalent to cash.
  • The Bank of Ningbo recently issued a procurement notice seeking vendors with e-CNY experience as it builds infrastructure for the digital currency.

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