NextGen Nordics: Sweden completes Phase 2 CBDC trials

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Riksbank completes Phase 2 e-krona trials

Sweden’s Riksbank has announced the completion of the Phase 2 technical trials for its CBDC after starting the project in the spring of 2017. During Phase 2, issues such as offline function, performance, and integration with external participants are examined and conclusions from this phase will be published in 2022.

Mithra Sundberg, head of the e-krona division at Riksbank, said: “In Phase 3 we will begin to formulate a basis for the requirements for an e-krona if a decision is made to issue it. All the tests, analyses and investigations carried out will form a base for this work. We will also draw on experience from the rapid international development that is now taking place in this field."

Although Phase 2 is complete, the central bank reports it will conduct other technical tests to learn more and have therefore extended their contract with Accenture until February 2022.

Danish BNPL player ViaBill raises $120 million in equity and debt

Danish buy now pay later (BNPL) company ViaBill announced raising a $120m equity and debt in a round led by London-based Fasanara Capital. ViaBill, which is backed by international venture capital Headline and Blackfin, can be used online,in-store and is currently available in Denmark, Spain, and the USA.

Jan Lytje-Hansen, CEO and co-founder of ViaBill said: “While other large Buy Now Pay Later players like