Institutional role
The BIS supports cooperation among central banks and conducts work related to monetary and financial stability. Its activities include research, forums, banking services for central banks, and innovation projects. The informal phrase bank for central banks captures part of its role but does not mean it is a world central bank issuing every country's money. Committees and hosted initiatives have their own mandates, and domestic authorities retain their respective legal responsibilities.
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Research projects are specific collaborations
The BIS Innovation Hub explores technologies through defined partnerships and project scopes. Agora, Nexus, and earlier multi-CBDC experiments address different problems and should not be merged into one universal digital-currency program. A technical report can show that an arrangement was investigated without establishing that a country adopted it. Likewise, an institution appearing as an observer does not necessarily have the same commitments or operating role as a project participant.
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Keep organizational history current
The BIS's mBridge record states that it announced a handover to its partners in October 2024. Consequently, a present-tense description that treats mBridge as continuing BIS-led research without qualification can mislead readers. For any project, record who is responsible at the date discussed and distinguish inception, pilot, prototype, handover, and production operation. The BIS's involvement is evidence of a collaboration or research role, not an endorsement of a speculative token promoted by an unrelated party.
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The source notesEvidence & further reading4 sources
- About the Bank for International Settlements Bank for International Settlements · Primary source · accessed 2026-09-21
- Project Agora Bank for International Settlements · Primary source · accessed 2026-09-21
- Project Nexus Bank for International Settlements · Primary source · accessed 2026-09-21
- Project mBridge and the October 2024 handover Bank for International Settlements · Primary source · accessed 2026-09-21