Currency
Analysts see Hong Kong peg under scrutiny
Hong Kong dollar reached lowest level in nearly a decade this week, putting long-standing peg ‘under fresh scrutiny' and prompting fears of possible attack
Fewer counterfeit banknotes withdrawn in Portugal in 2015
Statistics released by Bank of Portugal reveal a drop in the number of counterfeits withdrawn from circulation last year; the €20 remains the most frequently faked denomination
Argentina to issue three new banknote denominations
Top-value 100-peso note to be eclipsed by new currency; 200- and 500-peso notes will launch in first half of 2016, with 1000 peso note following in 2017
PBoC imposes reserve requirements on offshore deposits for first time
New measure designed to curb CNH short-selling and shows PBoC determination to stabilise offshore market in wake of recent gyrations, analysts suggest
Central Bank of Bolivia issues counterfeit warning ahead of festival
Any reproduction of the bolivar must be either double or half the size to avoid confusion with legal tender under counterfeiting rules, the bank says, ahead of Alasita in La Paz
PBoC cut in renminbi fix prompts market volatility
Central bank cuts fix by 0.51%, triggering second equities slump in a week and further divergence in onshore and offshore exchange rates
Russian and Chinese central banks sign MoU
The governors of the Russian and Chinese central banks sign memorandum of understanding; will now be able to issue bonds in each other’s markets
Peso down almost 30% as Argentina lifts capital controls
Capital controls lifted allowing greater access to foreign exchange; peso slides by 29% against the US dollar as markets open
HKMA hikes rates as Asia takes Fed decision in stride
Hong Kong raises rates for first time in over nine nears as regional markets remain calm; Norman Chan warns of capital outflows and ‘possible shocks' ahead
RMB now second most used payments currency between China and Japan
The Chinese currency more than doubles share of payments between China/Hong Kong and Japan in two years, eclipsing US and Hong Kong dollars while yen retains number one spot
Domestic euro users bear highest shoe leather costs, Bank of Italy paper finds
Euros circulate widely outside the eurozone, transferring some costs to foreigners – but the effect is small relative to the popularity of the euro as a global currency