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Latam Insights — Argentina Settles IMF Payment in Yuan; Brazilian CBDC to Be Launched in 2024
3.7.2023
Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue, Argentina settles part of its $44 billion debt with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) using the Chinese yuan, Central Bank of Brazil officials estimate...
What is the International Monetary Fund, and how does it work?
30.6.2023
Explore the IMF’s objectives, governance structure and key functions in promoting global financial stability
IMF Director: Iranians, Brazilians, Saudis Switching to Trade in Chinese Yuan as De-Dollarization Gains Momentum
28.6.2023
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) executive director for Russia says a growing number of countries are switching to trade in Chinese yuan, not only with China but also with third countries. He stressed that it is wrong for the U.S. dollar to be widely used globally given that the U.S....
IMF Boss: Supporting Egyptian Currency Akin to ‘Putting Water in a Bucket That Has Holes’
27.6.2023
Kristalina Georgieva, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s managing director, has said Egypt needs to plug leakages of foreign reserves if it wishes to successfully support its currency. According to the IMF leader, Egyptian authorities must also do more to support the vulnerable and...
Latam Insights — IMF States Latam’s CBDC Interest Rises, Lula Emphasizes Bretton Woods Institutions ‘No Longer Function’
26.6.2023
Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports interest in central bank digital currencies (CBDC) in Latam and the Caribbean is picking up, Lula criticizes...
IMF Economists Say Countries Should Address Crypto Demand Drivers Instead of Banning
23.6.2023
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) economists have cautioned that banning cryptocurrency “may not be effective in the long run.” Instead of outlawing crypto, they suggest countries should address “the drivers of crypto demand, including citizens’ unmet digital payment needs.”...
IMF Working on Platform to Support CBDC Cross-Border Interoperability
21.6.2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is working to develop a platform that would serve as an interoperability layer for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), allowing for settlements among different countries. According to statements from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, this would...
IMF Urges Fed to Maintain Tightening Policy Amid Inflation Concerns, Citing ‘Challenges’ Ahead
9.6.2023
On Thursday, International Monetary Fund (IMF) spokesperson Julie Kozack urged the U.S. Federal Reserve and several other central banks to maintain a restrictive monetary policy known as tightening. Kozack stated that the U.S. central bank may need to keep the federal funds rate higher “for...
Argentina to Expand De-Dollarization Efforts; Seeks Extension of Yuan Based Swap Line With China
27.5.2023
The government of Argentina is reportedly seeking to expand its de-dollarization agreement with China due to the lack of dollars that the country is facing. According to reports, Economy Minister Sergio Massa would be in talks to expand the current swap line to double the available amount from...
Russian Think Tank Profiles BRICS Bank as IMF Counterpart to De-Dollarize Credit Markets
26.5.2023
The Roscongress Foundation, a Russian think tank, has profiled the New Development Bank, known as the BRICS bank, as an alternative to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest “Decolonization in Energy Markets” report. Nation members could secure loans based on their...
IMF Foresees No ‘Rapid Shift’ in US Dollar Reserves Despite Rising De-Dollarization Trend
26.5.2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) does not expect a “rapid shift” in the U.S. dollar reserves despite a rising de-dollarization trend and a looming U.S. debt default. “Don’t kiss your dollars goodbye just yet,” said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. The IMF chief does not expect...
Harvard Economics Professor: US Default Could Spark Global Financial Crisis
15.5.2023
Harvard economics professor Kenneth Rogoff, who previously served as the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has warned that the U.S. defaulting on its debt obligations could spark a global financial crisis. “It’s a very perilous situation and we are in unknown waters,”...
IMF Warns of ‘Very Serious Repercussions’ if US Defaults on Debt Obligations
13.5.2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned of “very serious repercussions” to both the U.S. and the global economy if the U.S. defaults on its debt obligations, which could be as soon as June 1. “We are calling on all of the parties to come together, reach consensus, and resolve...
IMF Says Zimbabwe Gold-Backed Digital Currency a Potential Threat to Financial Stability
11.5.2023
The International Monetary Fund has urged Zimbabwean authorities to weigh the benefits versus risks of issuing a gold-backed digital currency. Instead of using gold-backed digital currency to limit the demand for the greenback, the global lender said monetary authorities should consider...
Nigeria-China Currency Swap: Activist Lawyer Accuses IMF and World Bank of ‘Economic Sabotage’ to Promote US Dollar, Urges Nigeria to Join BRICS
10.5.2023
Nigerian human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, has accused the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) of sabotaging the currency swap arrangement between China and Nigeria. Falana said the Nigerian central bank and the two global financial institutions are helping...
Brazilian President Lula to Act as BRICS Liaison to Help Argentina, Discusses Credit Line in Brazilian Reals
5.5.2023
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated Brazil will serve as a facilitator to try and arrange BRICS bloc assistance for Argentina. Lula stated that the New Development Bank — the BRICS bank — could modify some of its rules to aid Argentina. Also, the two countries are negotiating...
IMF Chief Warns of More Weaknesses in US Banking Sector — Sees ‘Gradual’ Shift Away From US Dollar
4.5.2023
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva expects “more vulnerabilities” in the U.S. banking sector amid a growing de-dollarization trend worldwide. “There has been a gradual shift away from the dollar,” the IMF chief acknowledged. U.S. Banking...
The Most Intense Consensus Ever Seeks Everyone’s Voice
21.4.2023
This year’s CoinDesk Consensus event, which will bring key policy and technical debates to the forefront, is especially important. While the withdrawal of a handful of previously agreed-upon speaking assignments undermines full representation on both sides of the issues, non-U.S. jurisdiction...
IMF Says Sub-Saharan Africa Already Feeling Effects of the ‘Big Funding Squeeze’
18.4.2023
Countries from the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region face a “big funding squeeze” which is forcing some of them to cut spending on health, education, and infrastructure. According to Abebe Aemro Selassie, people from the region are already “feeling the effects of the funding...
IMF Blog: Interest Rates to Fall to Pre-Pandemic Levels Once Inflation Is Tamed
13.4.2023
When inflation in advanced economies is tamed, real interest rates are likely to drop to pre-pandemic levels, the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) blog post has said. According to the authors of the blog post, the transition to a “cleaner economy in a budget-neutral way” could...