Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The aim of the project is to determine the usability of the digital currency
Now that Sweden shuns the euro for the time being, the Central Bank of Sweden (Sveriges Riksbank) is eying the creation of digital krona.
The bank has announced that it is conducting a pilot project to develop a technical solution for an e-krona that can work as a complement to cash.
The aim of the project is to show how an e-krona could be used by the general population. The digital currency must meet the following criteria: be simple, user-friendly, and fulfil critical security and performance requirements.
Test environment will be created in which simulated users (banks and general public) will hold e-kronor in a digital wallet, make payments, deposits and withdrawals via a mobile app. Payments via wearables, such as smart watches, and cards, will be made possible.
The technical solution is based on the so-called block-chain technology and may be further developed beyond the end of the pilot project in February 2021. There is currently no decision on issuing an e-krona, Riksbank assures.
Under the Treaty of Maastricht, all EU member states are obliged to join the eurozone once they meet the necessary criteria. Prior to this they must participate in the European Rxchange Rate Mechanism II, dubbed the Eurozone “waiting room”, for at least two years.
Sweden, however, claimed that this should be a voluntary decision and called a referendum. In September 2003, 55.9 percent of voters said “no” to adopting the euro and the government followed suit.
Currency issues are the prerogative of the Swedish parliament, but some municipalities have established the euro as “official currency” alongside the krona – not as a political snub, but rather as a clever marketing tool.
One such example is Haparanda, on the border with Finland, home to IKEA and other outlets that attract many Finnish buyers. Consequently, almost all local stores accept euros as cash and often display prices in euros. Since 2009 residents of another Swedish town - Höganäs can use either kronor or euro to pay for their restaurant and utility bills, purchases or rent.
Some shops in Helsingborg, Landskrona and Malmö display price tags in euros and accept euros. The City of Stockholm has no official policy to use dual currency, although some tourist-oriented shops readily accept euros.
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The previous mayor was forced out of office following a no-confidence vote in the city council
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The German Aerospace Center in Cologne is looking for volunteers for its next bed rest study
Muksubussi is nature-friendly, too, so they provide 2-in-1 benefit
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
The intervention has affected the mountainous districts of the Catalan capital
Even an Eternal City had to start from somewhere
On this day 200 years ago, the great poet lost his life in the Balkan country where he had gone to fight for its liberty
Muksubussi is nature-friendly, too, so they provide 2-in-1 benefit
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team