Currencies

HK Asia Holdings (1723) said it bought another 10 bitcoin (BTC) for $858,581.The Thursday purchase took the Hong Kong-listed company's total to around 18.88 BTC at a cost of roughly $1.72 million. The acquisitions were made via open market transactions and funded through internal cash reserves.In a statement, the company said it views bitcoin as a viable store of value amid global economic uncertainty, inflation concerns and expanding use of cryptocurrencies in investment strategies as well as "its potential to act as an effective hedge against depreciation of fiat currencies."Disclaimer:...

India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves rose by $305 million to $654.271 billion for the week ending March 14, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. This comes after a sharp increase of $15.267 billion in the previous week, marking the highest weekly surge in two years. The recent growth in reserves follows a period of decline due to forex market interventions and revaluation effects aimed at stabilizing the rupee. The RBI’s $10 billion forex swap played a significant role in the previous week’s spike....

The global financial scenario is changing rapidly with the emergence of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and cryptocurrencies. State-issued CBDCs provide financial stability and improved governance, whereas are disrupting the status quo with decentralization and innovation.This white paper explores the fundamental differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each, contrasts worldwide adoption patterns, and balances potential future directions in which these digital currencies will compete or coexist. To anticipate the next generation of digital money, one must understand this changing landscape.The Digital Currency LandscapeCBDCs and cryptocurrencies are revolutionizing the financial sector. CBDCs...

Dr. Ozan Ozerk is the founder of OpenPayd. He is a serial entrepreneur with a vested interest in several digital ventures. getty For years, we’ve heard about how blockchain will revolutionize institutional finance, with all eyes focused on the potential of central bank digital currencies. The Atlantic Council think tank says that 130 countries, representing over 98% of global GDP, are exploring a CBDC. China has already piloted the digital yuan (e-CNY), Sweden piloted the e-krona, Nigeria has launched the eNaira and the Bahamas the Sand Dollar. Other countries have...

Bitcoin (BTC) price hovers around $84,500 on Friday after recovering nearly 3% so far this week. Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) find support around their key levels, suggesting a recovery on their cards.  Ripple's XRP trades near $2.43 on Thursday after seeing a rejection at the $2.60 resistance. The remittance-based token has seen a 400% growth in network activity since the beginning of March. The growth may continue, considering the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently dropped its appeal against Ripple. Bitcoin price hit a new 10-day peak of $85,900 on Thursday, March...

Gold prices fell in India on Friday, according to data compiled by FXStreet. The price for Gold stood at 8,409.45 Indian Rupees (INR) per gram, down compared with the INR 8,447.88 it cost on Thursday. The price for Gold decreased to INR 98,085.98 per tola from INR 98,534.41 per tola a day earlier. Unit measure Gold Price in INR 1 Gram 8,409.45 10 Grams 84,093.86 Tola 98,085.98 Troy Ounce 261,563.30   Daily Digest Market Movers: Gold price is pressured by modest USD strength; downside potential seems limited The US Dollar...

USD/JPY gains to near 149.00 as the US Dollar strengthens after the dust settles from the Fed’s monetary policy. The Fed sees an “unusually elevated” US economic uncertainty due to new economic policies by President Trump. The BoJ and the Fed left interest rates steady on Wednesday. The USD/JPY pair moves higher to near 149.00 in North American trading hours on Thursday. The pair gains as the US Dollar (USD) rallies sharply in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy outcome. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the...

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq1yfTbrWyw Splashdown after nine months: Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore are back Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies III: Awareness in the fields of Space Story continues below this ad What’s the ongoing story: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday (March 18) after a nine-month-long stay at the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX Dragon capsule sent to bring them back to Earth splashed down off the Florida coast, also carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian...

Cryptocurrencies present a paradox in the global financial system. While they offer efficiency, decentralization, and financial inclusion, they also pose significant challenges to tax compliance and anti-money laundering efforts. The anonymity, lack of centralized oversight, and jurisdictional inconsistencies create loopholes that bad actors exploit to evade taxes and launder money.However, global regulatory bodies are adapting through measures like AML directives, KYC mandates, and blockchain forensic tools. Technologies such as AI-powered compliance monitoring, CBDCs, and decentralized identity verification are promising solutions for bridging enforcement gaps.Nonetheless, challenges persist, particularly with DeFi platforms,...

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Economy to check your progress.🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for March 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 QUESTION 1 What is the correct order of these items in terms of value (High to Low) of India’s goods exports to New Zealand: 1. Clothing and textile 2. Refined petroleum 3. Medicines and medical...