US dollar
Zimbabwe central bank actions like ‘putting lipstick on a frog’
Economic crisis is reminiscent of meltdown preceding dollarisation in 2008, but authorities have fewer options this time
China forex reserves inch higher in March
PBoC figures show increase of $3.96 billion, resulting in second consecutive monthly reading above $3 trillion
US policy is “ultimate risk” for emerging markets – panellists
Expert panel says US fiscal, trade and monetary policy all have the potential to cause trouble for emerging markets in the coming months, though some risks seem over-stated
Somalian central bank to print first notes since 1991
New 1,000 shilling looks set to enter circulation in 2017 with extensive assistance being provided by the IMF; central bank has struggled to operate amid civil war
Politics now driving markets more than central banks – BIS review
“Precipitous decline” in correlations implies markets no longer in thrall to central bank policy; US dollar credit still on the rise despite MMF reform; tensions in Chinese markets
Worrell’s woes: Barbadian governor battling on two fronts
Further evidence emerges on governor’s clash with finance ministry and board; Worrell worried about level of reserves and fiscal spending, while senior management complains of being marginalised
Mexico steps in to stabilise forex market
New derivatives contracts will be available to all credit institutions, with the first auction scheduled for March 6; a total of up to $20 billion will be allocated, central bank says
Angola disregards IMF advice on exchange rate overhaul
Angolan authorities disagree with IMF over suggested exchange rate framework changes but agree to a banking sector clean-up
Global financial safety net hits snag in regional finance
Jeromin Zettelmeyer warns moral hazard problems are now more serious with the rise of regional funds; central bank swap lines could be a partial solution
Cross-border claims shifting in favour of non-banks
BIS international banking statistics show claims on banks fell in third quarter of 2016 but claims on non-banks continued to grow
Protectionist ‘threats’ from US could harm emerging markets – Kganyago
International concerns high on Sarb’s list at latest MPC discussion; uncertainty surrounding US economic policy leads to revision of headline inflation forecast
Non-banks may amplify risks from policy divergence, Nakaso warns
Non-banks may be less constrained than banks in supplying dollar funding, but it could dry up at the first sign of trouble; the BoJ starts stress testing foreign currency liquidity
Davos panellists highlight risks posed by strong dollar
At the World Economic Forum, experts underline the risks of a strengthening dollar on not only US monetary policy, but also on emerging markets’ economies
Policy tensions in China to become ‘more stark’ in 2017 – Menon
MAS head says China's authorities will have to use a fair amount of “policy dexterity” this year to deal with likely US rate rises and volatile international markets
Bitcoin exchange halts service after PBoC clampdown
BTC123 becomes first exchange in China to halt services due to ongoing investigation by government agencies into virtual currency; cuts rates on wealth products
PBoC to investigate bitcoin firms
Bitcoin price falls by 33% in January; PBoC to investigate four largest bitcoin companies
Dollarisation is making monetary policy ineffective, Cambodian central bank says
Central bank actively promoting the use of riel instead of US dollar; reduced riel transaction costs among measures implemented
Defence and diversification key to fund success – HKMA deputy
Exchange fund is to continue diversifying into industries that can “counter” inflationary pressures, Yue says, as a challenging investment environment looks set to continue
New data sheds light on policy spillover channels – BIS paper
Expanded data published by the BIS show how US dollar, euro and yen affect cross-border lending flows
Barbados has failed to find growth balance, says governor
Further restrictions on spending needed to protect country’s reserves, says Worrell
BIS: markets less beholden to central bank action
Political shocks appear to have jolted markets into a more healthy state, but it is not yet clear if this is the start of normalisation or a temporary phase
Ink rubbing off notes ‘quite normal’, says Zimbabwe governor
Despite public outcry, governor says bond notes have so far been a success; launch of second tranche to bring total value of bond notes in circulation to $17 million
Venezuela central bank launches new banknotes amid soaring inflation
The bolivar has weakened to unprecedented levels as inflation soars and political instability engulfs the nation; new note series’ highest denomination is 200 times larger than current highest
BIS’s Shin links dollar strength to global malaise
Head of research outlines how dollar strength affects leverage globally, causing deviations from covered interest parity and potentially impacting growth and trade