German Banks Push For Bankless Payments, What Is The Catch?

It may seem counterintuitive for banks to promote bankless payments, but a proof-of-concept report from the German Banking Industry Committee bluntly claims their new money token allows “companies transfer funds directly from wallet to wallet, without intermediaries such as banks.” Yes, you read that right! But for those thinking that banks are finally yielding to decentralized finance, think again. The report suggests how banks can stay relevant in an increasingly decentralized world by adapting to blockchain technology while cementing their control through access and participation.

The committee, representing more than 1,700 banks, published the report on the Commercial Bank Money Token, acknowledging that “traditional forms of money and payment systems have reached their limit.” The report highlights the growing shift toward peer-to-peer and machine-to-machine payment transactions, which makes bank intermediation less relevant and, at times, a hindrance. Instead of relinquishing control, banks are experimenting with an "account-based" system that mirrors existing deposits. This approach allows them to capitalize on blockchain’s efficiencies while maintaining centralized control over access and preserving their deposit-based funding model.

The Surprising Bitcoin Rhetoric

Interestingly, the report’s rhetoric mirrors the sentiment of the Bitcoin whitepaper, which proposed “peer-to-peer payments…without going through a financial institution.” To Bitcoin advocates, it might bring to mind the saying, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." However, while the Bitcoin whitepaper envisioned bypassing banks entirely, this report highlights banks embracing the technology while keeping control.

Deposit Tokens vs. CBDCs

Additionally, the report underscores the need for banks to remain competitive in the face of central bank digital currencies, cautioning that the "unrestricted introduction of retail CBDCs" could lead to disintermediation, potentially cutting banks out of the payments process. To counter this threat, the report suggests that adopting tokenized bank deposits is central to banks' strategy.

Digital Identity at the Core

The report’s proposal emerges as the digital world faces identity management challenges like poor user experiences and data breaches. Traditionally, identities have been siloed across services, but self-sovereign identity offers a future where individuals control their data without relying on centralized platforms, like banks. The EU's eIDAS 2.0 regulations now require private sectors, including banks, to accept these credentials.

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Deposit Tokens vs. SSI and DeFi

As decentralized identity solutions grow, banks' control over access through identity verification may shrink, just as their role in payments is diminishing. The report suggests banks are positioning themselves by allowing bank-approved entities to engage in wallet-to-wallet payments, preserving their central role. Meanwhile, the tokenized bank deposit strategy—keeping funds within bank-controlled systems—contrasts sharply with decentralized finance ideals.

To Be or Not to Be (Central)

The tokenized bank deposit initiative shows German banks are embracing blockchain—but on their own centralized terms. By controlling identity verification, they maintain access control for now. The question is whether banks can hold this grip as the world shifts toward peer-to-peer payments and self-sovereign identity. The report signals change, but centralization remains. Is this enough, or is it time for banks to yield to a more decentralized future?