Of course this isn't a CBDC, and people aren't saying it is. It's a similar system that is designed to get people used to the convenience of it, and eventually comfortable and even dependent on it. Then the government will use that familiarity, comfort level, and dependence to replace it with a 'better system' that IS a CBDC system.

It's the same concept as getting a person who would never willingly take hardcore illegal narcotics to take them. Start out with something similar, like opioid pain medications after a surgery or injury, and once you have them hooked on those you switch them to the illegal drugs and they won't fight you, they'll just go along with it to keep their needs met.

Don't throw the frog into boiling water, or they'll just jump out. Put them in warm, comfortable water and turn up the heat slowly so they don't know what's coming until it's too late.