Question 1

Debate and experimentation are ongoing, regarding the introduction of central bank-issued digital currencies (CBDC) amongst central bankers. Some countries are more advanced in their CBDC work while others are still on the drawing table.

Examine the pace of CBDC progress in these countries — Singapore, the US, and China and rank their relative progress.

Discuss and explain the factors behind the differences in the pace of CBDC progress in these three (3) countries.

Conclude clearly if you think CBDC will be an inevitable part of our lives in 10 years’ time.

Make good use of examples, statistics, and events to augment your discussion.

Question 2

A robo-advisor made extensive automation to make periodic purchases of stocks on behalf of her clients. Given the databases of clients’ portfolios, the trading prices of stocks, and the following Python inputs in Figure 1,

Design and create Python code that can be used to evaluate the total units of target_stock to be purchased on purchase_date for all portfolios under management. You are reminded that integer units of target_stock must be acquired for each portfolio.

Print the total units of target_stock to be purchased on purchase_date clearly in your script. You are reminded that your code must be driven entirely off the inputs given in Figure 1.

Appendix A documents the working of the robo-advisor and Appendix B documents the data structure of the data files provided.