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On 2 August 2021, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that an exceptionally large allocation of special drawing rights (SDRs), worth US$650 billion (€550 billion), had been approved with effect from 23 August 2021. The SDR allocation, the largest in the IMF's history, would serve to 'boost global liquidity' and help all members 'address the long-term global need for reserves'. The initiative complies with the IMF's mission of monitoring and promoting stability on the international monetary ...

The pricing of many financial instruments and contracts depends on the accuracy and integrity of (financial) benchmarks, i.e. indices, by reference to which the amounts payable under such financial instruments or contracts, or the value of certain financial instruments, are determined. The anticipated discontinuation of such a benchmark (LIBOR) after the end of 2021 has created fears that it could lead to disruption in the internal market, given that the Benchmarks Regulation ((EU) 2016/1011) does ...

On 15 January, the Swiss National Bank discontinued its currency ceiling, set at 1.20 Swiss francs to the euro, less than four years after its introduction. The Swiss franc (CHF) appreciated immediately, reaching as much as 0.97 CHF to the euro that day. This currency move has had, and will continue to have, an impact both on the Swiss and the euro area economies: the system that has been in place is described briefly below as well as the consequences of the Bank's decision.

Within the context of persisting international imbalances and a lingering crisis, there has been increased focus on the exchange rates between major economic areas, taking for example the heated debate between the US and China and unilateral action by numerous countries. It currently seems that a quantitative easing boom is back on the agenda globally. Inevitably, such policy actions will have effects on the global flows of capital and trade and have already attracted strong criticism from some emerging ...