Right now, governments, tech companies, and financial institutions are designing new forms of digital money. Each promises convenience, speed, and security. But who controls the system determines who controls your money.
Each system makes different promises. Let's examine what they actually deliver — and what they take away.
Each digital money system makes fundamental trade-offs. Swipe to explore.
"Digital money by governments"
Fast, programmable, centrally issued. Central banks control supply, transactions, and can program spending rules directly into currency.
"Private money pegged to fiat"
Convenience & liquidity, but custodial. Companies hold reserves and promise 1:1 backing. Trust required in custodian solvency.
"Closed-loop platform money"
Earn & spend inside walled gardens. Tech platforms create closed ecosystems where value can't leave their control.
"Open monetary network"
Scarce, neutral, borderless. No issuer, no central control. Mathematical supply cap enforced by distributed consensus.
Tap each cell to reveal trade-off insights
| Category | CBDC | Stablecoin | Corporate Coin | Bitcoin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Central Bank | Private Company | Tech Platform | Decentralized Nodes |
| Privacy | Low (state logs) | Medium (custodian logs) | Very Low | High (pseudonymous) |
| Supply Control | Adjustable | Adjustable | Unlimited Credits | Fixed 21M |
| Access Rules | Requires ID | Requires Account | Platform Only | Internet + Wallet |
| Transparency | Closed Ledger | Partial | Closed | Public Ledger |
Bitcoin chose the harder path: slower upgrades, no central switch, predictable supply. That's what gives it neutrality — no one can rewrite your balance sheet.
Unlock the extended CBDC vs Bitcoin simulation with detailed scenarios, economic implications, and sovereignty frameworks.