Back in 2014, I made a bold forecast about the future of money:

• By 2035, electronic payment companies will adopt an international standard digital currency, functioning as an intermediary exchange medium.

Now, as we approach the mid-2020s, let’s assess how this prediction is shaping up—and whether we’re on track for a unified global digital currency by 2035.

The Prediction: A Universal Digital Currency for Payments

In 2014, the idea of a standardized global digital currency was still in its infancy. Bitcoin had gained traction, but most financial institutions viewed cryptocurrencies as speculative rather than foundational. My prediction suggested that:

• Payment giants (Visa, PayPal, etc.) would converge on a common digital currency—likely a stablecoin or CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency).
• This currency would act as a neutral intermediary, reducing friction in cross-border transactions.

So, how close are we to this reality?

The State of Digital Currencies in 2025

1. The Rise of Stablecoins and CBDCs

Since 2014, the financial world has seen explosive growth in:

• Stablecoins (e.g., USDT, USDC): Pegged to fiat currencies, these have become a bridge between crypto and traditional finance, with Visa and PayPal now supporting them .
• Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Over 130 countries are exploring CBDCs, with China’s digital yuan and the EU’s digital euro leading the charge .

However, no single global standard has emerged yet. Instead, we have competing models:

• Private stablecoins (e.g., Meta’s abandoned Libra/Diem project).
• Government-backed CBDCs (e.g., China’s e-CNY, Bahamas’ Sand Dollar).
• Cross-border payment systems (e.g., SWIFT’s experiments with blockchain).

2. Payment Companies Are Adapting—But Fragmentation Persists

Major payment firms are integrating digital currencies, but in a fragmented way:

• PayPal allows users to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins .
• Visa and Mastercard have launched crypto-linked cards and blockchain settlement systems .
• SWIFT is testing CBDC interoperability for international payments .

Yet, no universal standard exists. Instead, we see:

• Competing stablecoins (USDT vs. USDC vs. others).
• Divergent CBDC designs (wholesale vs. retail, permissioned vs. open).
• Regulatory hurdles slowing global adoption (e.g., U.S. vs. EU approaches).

3. The Push for Interoperability

The closest thing to a “standard” today is interoperability protocols, such as:

• ISO 20022: A messaging standard adopted by SWIFT and CBDC projects to unify payment systems .
• Blockchain bridges: Efforts like the Regulated Liability Network (RLN) aim to connect CBDCs and stablecoins across borders .

Still, full standardization by 2035 remains uncertain.

Will We See a Global Digital Currency by 2035?

✅ What My Prediction Got Right:

1. Digital currencies are becoming mainstream—stablecoins and CBDCs are now key parts of financial infrastructure.
2. Payment companies are adopting them—Visa, PayPal, and SWIFT are actively integrating digital money.
3. Cross-border efficiency is improving—blockchain and smart contracts are reducing settlement times .

❌ Where the Prediction May Fall Short:

1. No single dominant standard yet—competition between CBDCs, stablecoins, and legacy systems continues.
2. Regulatory fragmentation—governments are moving at different speeds (e.g., China’s aggressive CBDC rollout vs. U.S. caution) .
3. Private vs. public tensions—Big Tech (e.g., Meta’s Diem) and banks are battling central banks for control .

Revised Outlook for 2035

Based on current trends:

• A hybrid system is more likely than a single currency—CBDCs and stablecoins will interoperate via shared protocols (like ISO 20022) .
• Payment companies will act as intermediaries, bridging different digital currencies rather than adopting just one.
• Full standardization? Maybe by 2040+—political and technical hurdles remain high.

Final Verdict: Partially Correct, But the Vision Is Unfolding

Conclusion

My 2014 forecast was directionally accurate—digital currencies are becoming the backbone of global payments, and companies are adopting them. However, the dream of a single universal currency by 2035 seems unlikely. Instead, we’re heading toward a multi-currency, interoperable system where stablecoins, CBDCs, and legacy systems coexist.

The future of money is digital—just not as unified as I once imagined.

What do you think? Will we see a true global digital standard by 2035, or will fragmentation persist? 🚀💸