Currencies

For over three-quarters of a century, the US dollar (USD) has stood as the world’s principal reserve currency, following the US-led global order after World War II. Its enduring preeminence, demonstrated by a dominant share of about 59 to 60 per cent of global foreign exchange (FX) reserves, has conferred unique advantages on the US – from lower borrowing costs to having a potent instrument of foreign policy through financial sanctions.However, history shows that no currency’s dominance is eternal. Recent geopolitical shifts and evolving national policies now prompt a critical...

Asian currencies advanced on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire, easing geopolitical tensions. However, market sentiment remained cautious as traders awaited formal confirmation from both countries. Just before the ceasefire deadline, Iran launched a missile strike on Israel, raising doubts about the truce’s durability. The improved risk appetite supported regional currencies. The Australian dollar (AUD/USD) rose 0.5%, often seen as a key barometer of Asia-Pacific risk sentiment. The Japanese yen (USD/JPY) gained 0.5%, recovering from prior losses, while the Chinese...

Currencies, stocks and bonds in developing countries are defying US President Donald Trump’s trade war and the conflict in the Middle East to outperform global markets in 2025, after years in the shadow of a strong dollar.A JPMorgan index of the local currency bonds of large emerging markets and an MSCI gauge of their shares have each gained around 10 per cent so far this year. In comparison, the MSCI World index, covering large stocks across 23 developed economies, is up 4.8 per cent, while the FTSE World Government Bond...

Asian shares gained and oil prices were down on Tuesday, as fears of an energy market shock eased following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.Investors were relieved that Iran did not retaliate to a US attack on its nuclear facilities by throttling oil transport through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.On Monday, Iran said it had launched missiles at a major US base in Qatar, which described the situation as stable, while analysts said oilfield assets were unaffected.“Tehran played it cool. Their ‘retaliation’ hit a...

Some of emerging Asia’s biggest central banks look to be dialling back their interventions in the currency market.The central banks of India and Malaysia have reduced the size of some derivatives positions they use to weaken their currencies. Taiwan has allowed its currency to surge against the US dollar in recent weeks and dropped hints it would be comfortable with more if the moves were “orderly”. South Korea’s giant national pension fund has ended its five-month support of the won.A major reason for these moves is a simple change in...

AUD/JPY consolidates for third day but lifts 0.21% as high-beta FX gain on peace news.Trump confirms full ceasefire between Israel and Iran via social post.Pair eyes June high at 94.83; break above 95.00 could expose 97.32 and 99.15 YTD peak.The AUD/JPY consolidates within the 93.80-94.70 range for the third straight trading day, yet it is slightly up 0.21%, trading at 94.35 as Tuesday’s Asian session begins.Breaking news revealed that US President Donald Trump posted on his social network that Israel and Iran had fully agreed to a total ceasefire, which...

(MENAFN- Asia Times) A targeted US military strike on Iranian military assets has reignited geopolitical risk in global markets, and the immediate fallout is being felt most acutely across emerging Asia. Asian currencies, equities and bonds are under renewed pressure as investors price in higher energy costs, a potential capital exodus and a delayed path to monetary easing. The Bloomberg Asia Dollar Index dropped 0.3%, its largest single-day decline in weeks. The South Korean won and Indonesian rupiah led regional currency losses, while equity markets from Manila to Seoul posted...

100+ speakers, 900+ attendees, and a limitless appetite for innovation: DappCon 2025, hosted by Gnosis, was one of the best Web3 events of the year.DappCon 2025, hosted by Gnosis, brought together the brightest minds in Web3 for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of decentralized technologies. With over 80 speakers ranging from protocol architects to privacy advocates and user experience researchers, the conference spotlighted the next generation of blockchain applications, and the trust, infrastructure, and philosophy required to build them.Circles 2.0: Reimagining community currenciesAmong the standout sessions was a...

A recent judgement finds that Bitcoin can’t be regulated under apartheid-era exchange control rules. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is appealing a Pretoria High Court ruling that set aside its forfeiture of more than R16.4 million held by Standard Bank, ruling that apartheid-era exchange control regulations can’t be used to deal with modern-day crypto-currency transactions.Standard Bank had taken SARB to court, arguing that the central bank could not lawfully forfeit funds it held as collateral for a R40 million overdraft it granted to the now defunct Leo Cash and...