Australia's central bank said on Thursday it was taking another major step toward a wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) with a range of industry partners pursuing projects using real money and assets for the first time.

In a decision that diverged from nearly all major economic forecasts, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has opted to hold the official cash rate steady at 3.85%. The announcement, made following the bank’s July meeting,

Uncertainty surrounding US trade policy has contributed to New Zealand's central bank holding the country's cash rate.