Currencies

The app is now available to users in 12 cities and regions, including Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the host cities for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
Caixin

China launches digital yuan app in pilot cities nationwide

Central bank's e-CNY joins Alipay and WeChat Pay for mobile payments

6 January 2022
The National Bank of Cambodia's Bakong is recognized as one of the world's first digital currencies backed by a central bank. (Source photos by Kyodo and Getty Images) 
Finance

Cambodia's digital currency reaches nearly half the population

Central bank's Bakong wins 2021 Nikkei award for financial inclusion

4 January 2022
Although the U.S. Federal Reserve is starting to tighten its grip on credit, other central banks continue their shift to gold, reflecting global concerns about the dollar-based monetary regime.
Datawatch

Central banks accelerate shift from dollar to gold worldwide

More resilient to upcoming rate hikes, holdings rose to a 31-year high in 2021

29 December 2021
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech at a meeting with economists and academics at Dolmabahce Office in Istanbul on Dec. 24. (Photo courtesy of the presidency)
Markets

Turkish elections may hinge on short window of lira calm

Erdogan says forex 'bubble' has burst and country heading for stable summer

26 December 2021
Sri Lanka plans to pay Iran in tea to settle an oil debt.
Economy

Tea leaves for oil -- Sri Lanka struggles with runaway inflation

Island nation's price increases could act as bellwether for global prices

25 December 2021
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses the media after a cabinet meeting in Ankara on Dec. 20. (Photo by Murat Cetinmuhurdar/PPO/Handout via Reuters) 
Currencies

Turkey's lira rallies late after Erdogan bolsters currency

Nation's bank group says about $1bn sold in markets

21 December 2021
The meltdown of the lira is quickly pushing up the cost of living in Turkey through a greater dependence on imported goods and materials.
17 December 2021
Analysts and market participants say China's strong export growth and rising capital inflows are behind the yuan's appreciation.
Caixin

Breakup with dollar, PBOC warnings signal rocky road for yuan

Chinese central bank has been taking a more hands-off approach on forex

10 December 2021
Eiichi Shibusawa, known as “the father of Japanese capitalism,” will grace Japan's 10,000 yen note from 2024, when a new series of banknotes will come into circulation.
Life

Japan's new banknote celebrates maverick venture capital pioneer

From currency to potato chips, Eiichi Shibusawa is a fitting hero for tumultuous times

1 December 2021
The lira lost more than 40% of its value this year at one point during its 11-day skid. 
Currencies

Turkish lira snaps record losing-streak, but rebound leaves doubts

Erdogan tolerates currency weakness in experiment of balancing inflation and growth

25 November 2021
A consortium of over 70 Japanese companies look to launch a digital currency as early as 2022.
Finance

Japan to launch bank-deposit-backed digital currency in 2022

Top lenders, railway and NTT join trial run for blockchain-based e-money

24 November 2021
The dollar rose as much as 0.24% to 115.13 yen on Nov. 23, reaching its highest point since March 2017. 
Currencies

Dollar hits new high on yen after Powell reappointment

U.S. Federal Reserve chairman's extension firms bets on greenback

23 November 2021
The actual and theoretical values of the yen diverged in the April-June quarter. 
Datawatch

Yen selling continues despite positive real interest rates

Actual exchange rate stands at 9.6 yen lower than theoretical value

23 November 2021
The Turkish lira sank to another all-time low after the central bank pushed forward with an interest rate cut.
Currencies

Turkish lira nosedives after rate cut sought by Erdogan

Rising prices hit consumers while government remains bullish on growth

19 November 2021
China has been testing its digital yuan, known as e-CNY, since 2019 and is preparing for a broader trial at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022.
Caixin

China to strengthen link between digital yuan and payment apps

PBOC head outlines plans to expand ecosystem of new currency

10 November 2021
Fees on cross-border money transfers are costing companies $120 billion a year. (Source photo by Reuters and Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Central bank digital currencies can save $100bn a year: report

ASEAN stands to benefit the most, say J.P. Morgan and Oliver Wyman

3 November 2021
A plane arrives at the resort island of Phuket, Thailand, in July. Travel restrictions have eased in Southeast Asia as COVID-19 infection rates decline, buoying prospects of a recovery in the region.
Markets

Investors flock to ASEAN currencies and stocks as economies reboot

After delayed recovery, region's growth seen outpacing China next year

3 November 2021
Investors have reduced their exposure to the South Korean won, the Thai baht, the Japanese yen and other Asian currencies as the dollar gains strength. (Source photo by Reuters and Ken Kobayashi)
Market Spotlight

Soaring fuel costs add to pressure on Asian currencies

Energy exporters spared as inflation, growth scares roil foreign exhange market

25 October 2021
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ramped up pressure on the central bank to stimulate the economy.
Economy

Turkey cuts interest rates again despite calls for course change

Business leaders issue rare critique of Erdogan on inflation and currency

22 October 2021
Women stand in front of a currency exchange office in Istanbul. The Turkish lira depreciated by 8% since the end of August.
Currencies

From Turkey to South Korea, strong dollar squeezes the energy-poor

Higher U.S. interest rates drive investors to greenback

14 October 2021
The Bank of Korea held rates on Tuesday, but is considering intervention in the foreign exchange market as South Korea's won depreciates against the dollar.
Economy

Bank of Korea weighs FX intervention to stem won's slide

Gov. Lee hints at November hike with economy growing and inflation accelerating

12 October 2021
A night market in Laos: The country's central bank will study the possibility of issuing a digital currency.
Currencies

Laos enlists Japan startup for study on digital currency

ASEAN member is latest China-linked economy to seek new payment options

3 October 2021
Chinese financial regulators have proposed easing restrictions on overseas lending in yuan to boost the internationalization of the currency and lessen China's dependence on the dollar.
Caixin

China drafts new rules on overseas yuan lending to boost use

Regulators to ease curbs on loan types, impose cap on extending credit abroad

24 September 2021
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept.21.
Economy

Turkey's surprise rate cut plunges lira to new lows

Move follows Erdogan's assurance inflation is under control

23 September 2021
People outside a shopping mall in Jakarta in August. The Indonesian government that month entered into a debt-financing scheme with the central bank to keep the economy afloat.
Economy

ASEAN finances eroded by pandemic, stoking risk of currency slump

Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia resort to drastic measures to fund COVID relief

22 September 2021