1. Introduction -- 2. An introduction to cryptography: Unlocking the future of money -- 3. An introduction to technology architectures: Shaping the future of payments -- 4. Understanding privacy -- 5. Understanding money -- 6. A deep dive into payments -- 7. Understanding central banks -- 8. Exploring the nature of assets -- 9. A primer on crypto-assets and the unavoidable blockchain -- 10. Unveiling the world of cryptocurrencies -- 11. Exploring Stablecoins: Ensuring stability in a volatile crypto market -- 12. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Exploring characteristics, risks and benefits -- 13. CBDC examples -- 14. Technology choices and design options -- 15. Architecting a retail CBDC -- 16. Architecting a wholesale CBDC -- 17. Conclusion.

“A CBDC reference book for decision makers who want to understand technological trade-offs and their socio-economic implications.” —Prof. Christian Grothoff, Bern University of Applied Sciences “Whether you’re seeking a broad understanding of the evolving digital currency ecosystem or practical insights for implementation, this book offers a compelling and insightful journey into the heart of the financial (r-)evolution.” —Dr. Jonas Gross, Chairman Digital Euro Association “This is a comprehensive study that I recommend to anyone willing to get introduced to the fascinating world of CBDCs.” —Dr. Oriol Caudevilla, FinTech Expert, Board Director at the Global Impact FinTech Forum (GIFT) “Decoding Digital Assets is the most comprehensive book I’ve encountered, presented in an unbiased and accessible manner.” —Richard Turrin, bestselling author of Cashless and Innovation Lab Excellence, and Consultant & Speaker “Decoding Digital Assets is a must read for anyone looking for a place to start as well as those in need of a go-to reference.” —Morten Bech, Head of the Bank of International Settlements - Innovation Hub Switzerland “Decoding Digital Assets stands out for its clarity, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience. It is a must read for anyone seeking to grasp the future of finance.” —John Ho, Head Legal & Financial Markets at Standard Chartered Bank “A reference to whoever, from starter to advanced, wants to grasp (or revisit) CDBC in all its dimensions.” —Gilles Coccoli, Executive Committee member at Edenred Leon V. Schumacher is a seasoned technology leader and entrepreneur. He holds a master’s in electrical engineering with a specialization in communications technology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich), a master’s in management from HEC Paris, and a post-MBA from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. Schumacher is a veteran in the global corporate sector, having served as Group Chief Information Officer for Novartis and ArcelorMittal and founded multiple tech start-ups related to cybersecurity, privacy, and digital assets.