Media: China curbs rivals to the digital yuan in the Olympic Village

China has restricted payments using the Alipay and WeChat payment systems in the Olympic Village, where the digital yuan (e-CNY) is being tested. Bloomberg reports this.

According to the press, all visitors to the Beijing Games can download a pilot version of the mobile wallet to use the digital yuan, obtain a physical card, or convert e-CNY via self-service terminals.

Athletes and coaches are reportedly issued special wristbands with an electronic wallet function to pay for goods and services. 24-hour shops and other outlets are already equipped to accept such payments.

According to Yuya Sunmin, the operations group manager for the Olympic Games, the only payment methods in the Olympic Village will be cash, the digital yuan, and Visa cards, which sponsor the event.

Earlier in January, Chinese authorities launched a pilot version of the mobile wallet for using the digital yuan. The initiative’s developer is the Digital Currency Institute of the People’s Bank of China.

To download the app you must physically be in one of its testing locations: Shenzhen, Suzhou, Xunyane, Chengdu, Shanghai, Hainan, Changsha, Xi’an, Qingdao, Dalian or the zone hosting the Winter Games.

The mobile wallet for using the digital yuan led the app store charts in the first week after launch.

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