June 8, 2026
By Shubhii Verma
Macau Joins mBridge CBDC Network
Macau has officially joined the mBridge cross-border payment platform, marking a significant step in the adoption of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) for international transactions. The platform, which uses distributed ledger technology (DLT), enables faster and more efficient cross-border payments through the use of digital currencies issued by central banks.
The launch grants 11 commercial banks in Macau access to the mBridge network. Several of these institutions are Macau branches of major Chinese banks that are already connected to the platform through mainland China and Hong Kong. While mBridge is now operational for cross-border transactions in Macau, the region’s own digital currency, the digital Macao pataca, remains in the testing and sandbox phase for domestic use.
The mBridge project was originally developed by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub in collaboration with the central banks of China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. Although the BIS later stepped back from the initiative, the platform has continued to expand. Saudi Arabia has also announced plans to participate, though it has not yet fully joined the live network.
With Macau’s addition, mBridge now has six participating jurisdictions. Notably, half of the members are directly connected to China, which played a key role in developing the platform’s underlying technology. The UAE became the latest member before Macau when it officially launched its participation in late 2025.
The network has already processed substantial transaction volumes. In January, Chinese authorities reported that mBridge had handled approximately $55 billion worth of transactions. More than 95% of these transactions involved China’s digital yuan, highlighting the currency’s dominant role within the platform. Much of the activity has been driven by trade and financial flows between Hong Kong and mainland China.
China’s broader CBDC efforts continue to gain momentum. By the end of 2025, the country’s digital yuan pilot program had reportedly processed transactions worth nearly $2 trillion, making it one of the most advanced CBDC projects globally.
Challenges and Emerging CBDC Initiatives
Despite its progress, experts note that widespread adoption of mBridge still faces challenges. Regulatory coordination among participating countries, liquidity management, and legal compliance frameworks remain key issues that need to be addressed as the network grows.
The launch also comes as other multi-CBDC initiatives emerge. One such project, Agorá, has attracted attention because it allows central banks to maintain control over their own ledgers rather than relying on a shared external platform. Some policymakers view this approach as potentially more attractive, particularly for countries concerned about sovereignty and control over their digital currencies.
Macau Strengthens Global Cross-Border CBDC Experiments
As CBDC development accelerates worldwide, Macau’s integration into mBridge further strengthens the platform’s position as one of the leading experiments in transforming cross-border payments through digital currency technology.
