As the Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP) pilot is implemented, identifying the factors that influence individuals’ attitudes and adoption of DCEP is paramount for its wider promotion. Grounded on the Push-Pull-Mooring model and Status Quo Bias theory, this paper proposes a predictive model of individuals’ intention to adopt DCEP, which was tested through a questionnaire survey of 395 individuals adopting DCEP and validated by a structural equation modeling (SEM) and back-propagation neural network (BPNN) analysis. The findings reveal that individuals’ attitudes toward DCEP are pivotal in determining their adoption. Specifically, perceived compatibility, subjective norms, network externalities, social self-image, perceived government policy, and perceived credibility have significant positive effects on attitudes, while perceived cost exerts negative influences. Additionally, subjective norms and perceived government policy positively reinforce perceived credibility. Furthermore, individual financial knowledge moderates the relationship between attitude and adoption intention. This study offers both theoretical insights and practical guidance to facilitate the progress of DCEP pilots and enhance their adoption.

This study investigates the impact of China’s construction of high-standard farmland (CHSF) initiatives on grain productivity, focusing on total factor productivity growth of grain (TFPG) from 2000 to 2021. Using a continuous Difference-in-Differences (DID) approach based on balanced panel data from 31 Chinese provinces, this paper identifies significant productivity improvements, with TFPG increasing by an average of 7% post-implementation of CHSF. However, the effects are not uniform across regions—productivity gains are more pronounced in non-major grain-producing and plain areas, emphasizing the role of region-specific infrastructure and adaptive strategies. These findings provide empirical evidence on how large-scale farmland improvement enhances productivity through mechanization and better land use. However, the reliance on provincial-level data may result in localized variations in CHSF implementation being overlooked, suggesting the need for further micro-level analysis. Overall, this study highlights the importance of tailored agricultural policies to enhance their effectiveness and promote agricultural sustainability in China and other developing economies.