China's State Banks to Start Paying Interest on Digital Yuan Wallets in 2026
From January 1, 2026, China's six largest state-owned banks will begin paying interest on real-name digital yuan wallets at standard deposit rates, under a framework set by the People's Bank of China. The policy, detailed by Deputy Governor Lu Lei, treats e-CNY balances in Type I to III wallets as deposit liabilities covered by insurance, while BOCOM excludes Type IV wallets, underscoring China's move to embed its CBDC within the traditional banking system.