Saudi Central Bank Concludes mBridge Role Amid China Cross-Border Payment Initiative

Saudi Arabia announced on September 19, 2026, that it had completed its participation in the China-led mBridge CBDC initiative over a year prior. The Saudi Central Bank stated its involvement was limited to the proof-of-concept phase finished in May 2025. An analysis by Small Wars Journal noted that technical participation in emerging payment systems does not ensure long-term geopolitical alignment.

Published October 27, 2026 Source: Small Wars Journal Analysis

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中文 Chinese version
العربية Automatic translation

Issuing authority: Saudi Central Bank
Jurisdiction: Saudi Arabia
Publication date: September 19, 2026
Effective date: May 13, 2025
Stage: Final rule
Official source: news.google.com

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On September 19, 2026, Saudi Arabia publicly announced that it had completed its participation in the China-led mBridge central bank digital currency (CBDC) program over a year earlier, according to an article published by Small Wars Journal.

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) stated that its involvement was primarily limited to mBridge's proof-of-concept phase, which concluded on May 13, 2025. The cross-border payment project has included the People's Bank of China, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Bank of Thailand, and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.

Small Wars Journal reported that while China continues to develop mBridge and broader renminbi cross-border infrastructure, Saudi Arabia's withdrawal highlights the limits of political and institutional alignment behind new payment networks designed to reduce reliance on dollar-denominated systems.