Print Your Money: Cash-Like Experiences with Digital Money

Chenhang Zhou, Yu Chen, Roger Wattenhofer, Ye Wang

Abstract: The use of digital money has become increasingly popular, but it comes with certain drawbacks. For instance, it can be challenging to make payments during power outages or internet failures. Additionally, some groups may find it difficult to use digital money. To address these concerns, we propose a design for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) similar to physical cash but also integrates with digital payment systems. This would enable users to access digital money without needing a third party. Our design also addresses technical and security concerns by implementing a trust-level model and ensuring that the system meets users’ security needs. Ultimately, our design has the potential to replace physical banknotes and coins.