The Algorithm of Trust
In the age of digital globalization, the idea of money has transcended physical borders and tangible notes. The emergence of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and unified financial systems has promised efficiency, security, and inclusion. But beneath this façade of progress lies a more complex reality — one where financial autonomy is quietly replaced by algorithmic governance. The Algorithm of Trust explores this duality through the story of Lucia Alvarez, a Venezuelan refugee and coder working for the International Digital Settlement Board (IDSB), which manages GLOPAY — a unified global CBDC system. What begins as an innovation in cross-border payments soon evolves into a mechanism of control, where human trust is no longer built — it is programmed. 1. The Age of Unified Currency In 2039, national currencies became relics. Borders still existed on maps, but not in money. The International Digital Settlement Board (IDSB) — an alliance of 72 central banks — announced ...
