Overview
ISO/TS 23526:2023 - "Security aspects for digital currencies" defines an acceptable security framework for issuing and managing digital currencies. Produced by ISO/TC 68/SC 2, the technical specification promotes a standards-based, modular approach so security is integrated by design rather than bolted onto legacy systems. It addresses fiat and non‑fiat models (including CBDC and stablecoins), cryptographic mechanisms, and mitigation of vulnerabilities across the digital currency lifecycle.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Security framework approach: modular, standards-based model that supports interoperability and customizable implementations for different national and institutional needs.
- Security objectives and roles: guidance to define objectives, assign roles and responsibilities across issuers, custodians, validators and service providers.
- Access control for repositories: controlled access models for digital wallets and currency repositories.
- Confidentiality vs anonymity: considerations and trade-offs between user privacy and regulatory transparency.
- Integrity and assurance: mechanisms to ensure non-alteration of digital currency units.
- Personal security credentials: requirements for keys, authentication elements and certificates used to evidence transactions.
- Key management: lifecycle considerations for cryptographic keys aligned with ISO/TC 68/SC 2 mechanisms.
- Risk and functional assessments: impact analysis for processing alternatives, availability, transaction speed and device portability.
- Platform independence and interfaces: emphasis on interoperable digital interfaces and support for multiple currency objects.
- Fraud, threat and countermeasures: threat modelling, fraud mitigation and security countermeasures for the ecosystem.
- Variations of frameworks: tailored models for non-fiat digital assets, national CBDC implementations (including anonymity/security options), and secure digital cash with consumer identity frameworks.
Practical applications - who should use it
ISO/TS 23526:2023 is relevant to:
- Central banks and monetary authorities designing CBDC or fiat digital currency models.
- Banks and payment service providers assessing stablecoin integration, custody and settlement security.
- Digital wallet vendors and custodians implementing secure repositories and user credentialing.
- Security architects and risk teams building end‑to‑end threat models and key management solutions.
- Regulators and standards bodies seeking interoperable security baselines for cross‑border transactions.
Adopting this guidance helps organizations reduce vulnerabilities, ensure privacy/regulatory balance, and build trusted digital currency infrastructures.
Related standards
- Cryptographic mechanisms standardized by ISO/TC 68/SC 2 (referenced by the specification).
- Terminology referenced from ISO 22739 and national currency designation practice such as ISO 4217.
Keywords: ISO/TS 23526:2023, security framework for digital currencies, CBDC, stablecoin security, digital wallets, key management, distributed ledger, cryptographic mechanisms, fraud and threat mitigation.