Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are gaining traction, but not everyone in the crypto world is thrilled. CBDCs, digital money controlled by a country's central bank, give authorities extensive control over money flows. By 2030, CitiGroup predicts $5 trillion in CBDCs will circulate globally. While some crypto leaders are wary of the rise of CBDCs and potential privacy concerns, others like Consensys, Ripple, and Stellar are actively participating in their development. Critics argue that CBDCs compromise core blockchain principles like immutability and decentralization, and warn of the risks of granting governments overwhelming financial control.