BIS Expands CBDC Pilots as Innovation Hub Names New Leader

TLDR:

• BIS Innovation Hub prepares for new leadership as global work on CBDC pilots accelerates rapidly.
• Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli will guide central bank collaboration on tokenised deposits and digital money systems.
• The Hub’s seven global centers support research that links technology experiments with policy development.
• BIS maintains focus on digital settlement models while managing a smooth leadership transition.

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The Bank for International Settlements is sharpening its focus on CBDC pilots as it prepares for a major leadership change. The institution confirmed the appointment of IMF official Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli to head the BIS Innovation Hub. 

His arrival comes as central banks accelerate work on digital currencies and tokenised deposits. The BIS stated he will assume the role on 1 March 2026 for a five-year term.

BIS Innovation Hub Expands CBDC Pilots

The appointment places the CBDC pilots at the center of the BIS Innovation Hub’s expanding agenda. 

According to the BIS, Mancini-Griffoli will guide collaboration across its seven global centers. These centers support projects that explore digital money infrastructure and the future of central bank technology. The network also benefits from a strategic partnership with the US Federal Reserve System.

The BIS noted its current project portfolio includes work with over 200 central bank experts. These collaborations examine tokenised deposits and digital currency models designed to support resilient financial systems. 

The Innovation Hub also tracks underlying technology trends shaping payments and settlement design. This includes research that complements ongoing BIS studies on digital money architecture.

Mancini-Griffoli’s background aligns closely with the Hub’s priorities. The BIS referenced his role at the IMF, where he oversaw payments, currencies and financial market infrastructures. 

He also chaired the IMF’s coordination group on digital money, which contributed to global policy discussions. His prior advisory work at the Swiss National Bank further deepens his experience in monetary operations.

New Leadership Steers Tokenised Deposit Research

The BIS indicated that Mancini-Griffoli will serve as a senior member of the leadership team. 

This position gives him direct responsibility for shaping research on tokenised deposits and emerging payment models. The Innovation Hub described this body of work as essential for modernising cross-border financial rails. It also helps central banks evaluate digital settlement systems alongside traditional frameworks.

The Hub’s centers in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Stockholm, Switzerland and Toronto support these initiatives. Each location focuses on practical experiments that link policy objectives with real-world testing. 

The BIS stated that collaboration among these centers remains a core part of the Hub’s mission. The goal is to strengthen technology adoption across central banks as digital currencies develop.

Mancini-Griffoli succeeds Cecilia Skingsley, who moved to a public leadership role in Sweden. 

Deputy General Manager Andréa M Maechler is serving as Acting Head until his arrival in 2026. The BIS acknowledged that continuity across projects remains strong during this transition period. Work on CBDC pilots and tokenised deposits is scheduled to continue without disruption.

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