Trust, technology, and retail central bank digital currency demand

Using a quota-based survey experiment of 2,879 South Korean adults randomly assigned to five retail CBDC design scenarios, we hold design fixed and compare household correlates of adoption intention, allocation of a fixed endowment under assumed universal use, and retention when deposit rates rise. Trust in the central bank and mobile-transfer experience are associated with higher adoption and allocation, privacy sensitivity and risk aversion with lower adoption and allocation. Fintech-use frequency and provider preferences are associated with adoption but not allocation. The fintech adoption association strengthens with age. Respondents with no stated provider preference report lower adoption intentions but higher retention thresholds. Household income is associated with retention but not allocation. The estimates are conditional associations from hypothetical responses.