Trump's US Treasury pick Bessent: no need for central bank digital currency

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Scott Bessent, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's choice to head the Treasury Department, on Thursday signaled his reluctance to pursue the creation of a central bank digital currency, saying it's suitable only for countries with few other investment alternatives.

"I see no reason for the US to have a central bank digital currency," Bessent told the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. The U.S. dollar already allows investors to hold a variety of very secure U.S. assets, he said.

(Reporting by Ann Saphir)

((Ann.Saphir@thomsonreuters.com; 312-593-8342; www.x.com/annsaphir; Reuters Messaging: ann.saphir.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))