PBOC to Introduce Interest on Digital Renminbi Wallet Balances From January 2026

Deputy Governor Lu Lei of the People's Bank of China has announced that, starting January 1, 2026, digital renminbi wallet balances will earn interest under a new management framework. Chinese banks will handle e-CNY balances in a way that is comparable to traditional savings deposits, a move industry leaders view as strategically important for wider digital currency adoption.