Episode 262: The Bankers’ Bookshelf – The GeoEconomics of Money in the Digital Age

In this episode of The Bankers’ Bookshelf series for Breaking Banks Europe, hosted by Paolo Sironi, Nicola Bilotta, a Senior Research Associate at the Florence School of Banking and Finance, delves into the evolving landscape of international reserve currencies and monetary systems. Bilotta discusses the forces driving the transformation—economic dislocation, geopolitical shifts, and advancing technology—while addressing the global dissatisfaction with the US dollar. He explains how countries like China and the European Union are exploring digital currency initiatives, each with distinct motivations: China aiming for monetary control, while Europe seeks strategic autonomy and a pan-European payment system. Bilotta also explores why the US has been slow to adopt a digital dollar, citing political skepticism and fears of losing influence. The conversation highlights future scenarios, including fragmentation, digital dominance, and global shifts. This insightful discussion is based on Bilotta’s book The Geoeconomics of Money in the Digital Age, and marks the transition of The Bankers’ Bookshelf series into its own show since 2025.

Get the book: https://www.routledge.com/The-Geoeconomics-of-Money-in-the-Digital-Age/Bilotta/p/book/9781032812168?srsltid=AfmBOoo8O35JN-o-TBvUnGfDzfkpYPrfiivuGtVQi89w_TH6sgnGHJkA

FOLLOW THE NEW SHOW: https://provoke.fm/show/the-bankers-bookshelf/

IBM FinTech Strategy and Author
About the Author
Paolo Sironi is the global thought leader in banking and financial markets at IBM Institute for Business Value. A trailblazer in fintech, Paolo’s insights resonate across the industry, making him one of the most respected voices in the field. As the host of THE BANKERS’ BOOKSHELF podcast, he brings cutting-edge research to life, sharing the stories and strategies behind financial innovation. With a career spanning from start-up entrepreneurship to leading risk management as a quantitative engineer in investment banking, Paolo’s expertise bridges the gap between technology and finance. His groundbreaking books, including the Amazon bestseller "Banks and Fintech on Platform Economies", have become essential reading for professionals navigating the evolving financial landscape.
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