The White House has stated that a U.S. #CBDC - a digital form of the U.S. dollar - "would have the potential to offer significant benefits."

But CBDCs also present serious systemic threats to civilization.

Here are six risks of CBDCs to consider.

Risk 1: Centralization of power. CBDCs controlled by central banks lead to an even greater concentration of power in the hands of a few authorities. This centralization may undermine democratic principles of decentralization, checks and balances, and power distribution.

Risk 2: Privacy Erosion. CBDCs enable central controllers to monitor & track financial transactions, enabling surveillance states. Financial data could be used to build detailed citizen profiles that can be exploited for political reasons, commercial gain, or to suppress dissent.

Risk 3: Censorship & Control. CBDCs are programmable money. With programmable money, central authorities could have granular control over the types of financial transactions individuals can engage in. This control could limit the freedom of expression and association.

Risk 4: Social Engineering. As programmable money, CBDCs could enable central controllers to implement personalized rates as a means to control individual behavior and seek conformity. These financial incentives and disincentives may erode autonomy and freedom of choice.

Risk 5: Economic Inequality. CBDCs grant governments and central banks even greater control over the money supply and distribution, which could be used to benefit certain groups and deepen existing disparities.

Risk 6: Exclusion & Discrimination. CBDCs may enable governments to exclude certain individuals or groups from accessing financial services or participating in the economy.