SWIFT, the global bank messaging network, is set to trial live transactions involving tokenised assets and digital currencies next year, according to a recent report by Reuters.

CBDCs are a form of digital currency regulated by a country's central bank. They are similar to cryptocurrencies, but their value is fixed by the central bank.

Bitcoin dropped below the $20,000 level on Saturday to its lowest point in 18 months, extending its slide as investors showed they were unnerved by growing troubles in the industry and as the general pull-back from riskier assets continued.