China has the most cash and gold reserves of any country in the world: $3.43 trillion worth, according to data from the World Bank and IMF.
Most foreign exchange reserves are held in U.S. dollars, with China being the largest foreign currency reserve holder in the world. The top foreign reserve holders tend to be countries in Asia and South Asia. The U.S. only holds a relatively small $242 billion in reserves as of Q2 2022.
For the U.S., it would likely mean less access to capital, higher borrowing costs and lower stock market values, among other effects. Having the world's reserve currency has allowed the U.S. to run large deficits in terms of both international trade and government spending.
Backed by a powerful economy and the highly developed banking system of Switzerland, the Swiss franc is the safest currency in 2023.
As of 2022, it is currently the sixth most-traded currency in the foreign exchange market and also the seventh most-held reserve currency in global reserves.
However, it is unlikely to replace the US dollar as the world's reserve currency in the near term for several reasons: Political fragmentation: The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states, each with its own national interests and priorities.
Norway has the one of the lowest physical cash rates in the world, with only 3-5% of point of sale transactions paid for by cash. In 2021, Norway's central bank announcedthat it was exploring digital currency options to help facilitate the switch to a cash-free society.
Warren Buffett addresses question on $130 billion cash hoard and potential distributions.
Countries in the World:
There are 195 countries in the world today. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
EUR/USD forecast 2023
“EUR/USD is predicted to reach 1.10 in March 2023, before declining to 1.08 September 2023 and holding at 1.08 in December 2023. USD/JPY is expected to hit 135 in March 2023, before trading at 133 in June 2023, 130 in September 2023 and 128 in December 2023,” JP Morgan Research states.
The rise of BRICS and China's Yuan as alternative reserve currencies, coupled with concerns about America's mounting debt levels and geopolitical risks are all contributing to a shift away from the dollar. It remains to be seen how long the US dollar is able to hold its reserve currency status.
Since 1933, the U.S. dollar has lost 92 percent of its domestic purchasing power. Even at its “moderate” 1994 inflation rate of 2.7 percent, the dollar will lose another half of its purchasing power by 2022.
Today 1 Indian Rupee = 516.79 IRR.
Currently, the Iranian Rial is considered the world's least valuable currency. This is the result of factors like political unrest in the country. The Iran-Iraq war and the nuclear program also played a huge part.
Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
The Kuwaiti dinar is the strongest currency in the world with 1 Kuwaiti dinar buying 3.26 U.S. dollars (or, put another way, US$1 equals 0.31 Kuwaiti dinars). Kuwait is located between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, earning much of its wealth from being a leading global exporter of oil.
Australia is known for many things, including swathes of tropical beaches, marine reserves, Aboriginal culture, cute koalas, rolling wine country, and lush rainforests.
Currency is backed by the central bank, which eliminates any risk of default.
Australia is estimated to have the world's largest gold reserves, with 9,500 tonnes or 17 per cent of the total world estimated gold reserves of 57,000 tonnes.
According to RORO, safe haven currencies will strengthen in “risk off” periods. Conversely, in “risk on” periods, safe haven currencies will decline in value relative to commodity-based currencies such as the Australian dollar (AUD, New Zealand dollar (NZD) and Canadian dollar (CAD).
“Risk off” assets would include U.S. Treasuries and German bunds, because both are seen as (almost) risk-free. Among currencies, the U.S. dollar, Japanese yen and the Swiss franc tends to rally as traders unwind carry trades.
Three key factors have been identified as causing the depreciation of the euro in 2022: Europe's heavy dependence on Russian energy and the associated economic slowdown brought about by the Ukraine invasion. The widening of the monetary policy gap between the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the ECB.
"The recent USD strength is largely driven by increased safe-haven demand in view of 'unknown unknowns'," said Esther Reichelt, currency strategist at Commerzbank.