We use the bibliometric and content analysis of 174 documents retrieved from the Scopus database to present the publication trends in Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) since 2018 and highlight the top publishing source with the most contributing authors in their affiliated countries. While showing influential studies, important themes covered to date, and the intellectual structure of the CBDC literature, we present recent research trends, gaps, and future research agendas in this domain. Research curiosity on the systematical framework, significance, and structural implication of CBDC as a structural shift in the digitization of the monetary system are major propellants. CBDCs have far-reaching implications for monetary and payment systems, and their development could pave the way for a global common currency. Researchers are making significant efforts to investigate how CBDCs are linked to international trade and assets, particularly cryptocurrencies. There is much room for theoretical development, contextual coverage, and methodology contributions. Display omitted •Literature on CBDCs is significantly growing.•We conducted a bibliometric and content analysis of 174 publications.•We list influential studies, important themes and the structure of CBDC literature•CBDCs have far-reaching implications for monetary and payment systems.•The development of CBDCs could pave the way for a global common currency.•We provide a network of themes and suggest future research agendas.