We are quite far from the creation of a global private currency. But stable coin projects reveal gaps in existing cross-border payment systems. Hence, at the European level, we should aim at promoting a genuine European strategy for retail payments. Payments are no longer a mere boring back-office technicality. They are innovative, and they provide two strategic assets: data, and daily customer relations. The raw truth however is that the European payments market is already dominated by non-European stakeholders. Furthermore, the growing role of non-European digital firms – be they American or Chinese – offering payments solutions should be taken seriously. Despite the creativity of the European ecosystem of payments, our  Page 4 sur 5 market remains too fragmented. Against this background, I call for the creation of pan-European payment solutions, building on a common brand and on the technical success of the Target Instant Payment Settlement infrastructure (TIPS) managed by the Eurosystem. We don’t have much time left, but regulators – starting with the Banque de France – and market players should work hand in hand to create a momentum. III. Green finance, “a new frontier for the 21st Century” Let me now conclude with some words on green finance. As I once said, it is “a new frontier for the 21st Century”. Much has already been undertaken over the past few months. We are currently witnessing a growing awareness from central banks, supervisors and financial institutions about climate-related risks.
5 The Riksbank’s exclusive right to issue banknotes entered into force in 1904. 5 [15]  could meet for lunch at the Five Bells to exchange cheques – and the ‘modern’ clearing house was born.6 Over time, procedures improved markedly. While settlement of banks’ obligations had for many years taken place in coins, the Bank of England’s notes now allowed for a safer and more efficient process. Later, the Bank of England started to offer account settlement, for many years on physical ledgers and later in digital form. Moving from pub clearing and settlement in coins to highly advanced electronic systems may not have entirely eliminated risks. Yet, few – if anyone – would deny that the efficiency gains have been enormous. Central banks around the world followed suit and set up similar arrangements to clear and settle payments. In the United States, the Federal Reserve System in 1918 established the first version of Fedwire, its system for transfers of funds between banks. What was special about Fedwire is that it used the telegraph lines which now connected the entire country. This technological innovation made it possible to settle payments within a short time, even between banks that held accounts in different regional banks in the Fed system. In Sweden, the establishment of Postgirot was an important step. Postgirot was, in essence, a public bank within the Swedish postal service.