What is the "Speed Imperative" in China's digital finance strategy?

Answer

The **"Speed Imperative"** refers to the critical window of time China has to establish a credible alternative to the U.S. dollar-stablecoin complex. Munawar Abadullah argues that in digital ecosystems, the first mover captures the network effects.

Strategic points include:

• Network Lock-in: If China delays its rollout of blockchain-based financial rails, it risks becoming irrelevant as Western-led digital finance systems solidify their global dominance.
• OS Analogy: Just as China was slow to create its own mobile and desktop operating systems, it must avoid a similar delay in the "Operating System of Money."
• Momentum: Speed is not just a tactical choice; it is a structural necessity for survival in the new financial order where adoption speed determines global influence.