Although paper-based money may now seem the norm, historically the concept of money and its medium has been changing drastically throughout human history. The earliest examples of money included shells, leather, or grain. In 1821, England became the first country to officially implement the gold standard. Fast-forward over 200 years, and the Bank of England, like many other economies’ central banks, are developing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). William Lovell, Head of Future Technologies at the Bank England shares their insight into digital currencies, and how CBDCs can enable a sustainable future.