The U.S. dollar was the most common currency in foreign exchange reserves in 2023, comprising more than three times the amount of the euro in global reserves that year. This total peaked in 2015, partly due to the strength of the dollar during the Eurozone crisis. The share of the U.S. dollar has lost since to the Japanese yen and euro, as well as other currencies. Why do foreign exchange reserves matter? When countries with different currencies export goods, they must agree on a currency for payment. As a result, countries hold currency reserves worth trillions of U.S. dollars. After World War II, the U.S. dollar itself became the international currency in the Bretton Woods Agreement and is thus the most common currency for international payments. The United States Treasury is also seen by most as risk-free, giving the country a low-risk premium. For this reason, countries hold U.S. dollars in reserve because the currency holds value relatively well eventually. China and currency reserves Since 2016, the International Monetary Fund has included the Chinese renminbi (yuan) as part of the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket. This decision recognized the influence of the renminbi as a reserve currency, particularly in several Asian countries. China also holds significant foreign exchange reserves itself, funded by its large positive trade balance.

Foreign Exchange Reserves in Bangladesh decreased to 25798.20 USD Million in May from 27429.70 USD Million in April of 2025. This dataset provides - Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Reserves - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In financial year 2024, the value of foreign exchange reserves in India stood at around *** billion U.S. dollars. This was a significant increase from the previous year. In fiscal year 2023, the value of foreign exchange reserve stood at around *** billion dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Taiwan Dollars to U.S. Dollar Spot Exchange Rate (EXTAUS) from Oct 1983 to Jun 2025 about Taiwan, exchange rate, currency, rate, and USA.

Foreign Exchange Reserves in Indonesia increased to 152600 USD Million in June from 152500 USD Million in May of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Indonesia Foreign Exchange Reserves - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Synthetic Reserve Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global synthetic reserve market size reached USD 7.8 billion in 2024, driven by increasing demand for innovative financial instruments and the adoption of digital technologies in reserve management. The market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 14.2% from 2025 to 2033, reaching a forecasted value of USD 24.6 billion by the end of the forecast period. This notable growth is propelled by factors such as the need for diversified reserve assets, financial innovation, and the rising integration of blockchain and algorithmic solutions in the global financial ecosystem. As per our latest research, the synthetic reserve market is witnessing rapid transformation, reflecting the evolving needs of central banks, financial institutions, and governments seeking stability and efficiency in reserve management.

One of the primary growth factors driving the synthetic reserve market is the increasing need for diversification and risk mitigation in national and institutional reserves. Traditional reserve assets such as gold, US dollars, and government bonds are subject to market volatility, geopolitical risks, and inflationary pressures. Synthetic reserves, comprising digital assets and algorithmically stabilized instruments, offer an alternative by reducing dependency on single currencies or commodities. Central banks and sovereign wealth funds are increasingly exploring synthetic reserve assets to safeguard their portfolios and hedge against unforeseen economic shocks. The flexibility and programmability of these assets allow for dynamic adjustments based on macroeconomic indicators, further enhancing their appeal as a strategic reserve management tool.

Another significant driver is the rapid advancement and adoption of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies within the financial sector. Blockchain-based synthetic reserves provide enhanced transparency, security, and real-time auditability, addressing long-standing concerns regarding opacity and inefficiency in reserve management. The programmable nature of these assets enables seamless integration with smart contracts, facilitating automated compliance, settlement, and reporting processes. This technological shift is not only streamlining reserve operations for central banks and commercial institutions but also fostering the development of new synthetic reserve products tailored to specific regulatory and operational requirements. The convergence of blockchain technology with financial engineering is thus catalyzing the expansion of the synthetic reserve market globally.

Furthermore, the evolving regulatory landscape and the push for financial innovation are encouraging market participants to explore synthetic reserves as a viable solution for liquidity and capital management. Governments and financial regulators are increasingly recognizing the potential of synthetic reserve assets to enhance monetary policy transmission, improve liquidity buffers, and support financial stability objectives. The emergence of algorithmic stablecoins, fiat-backed synthetic currencies, and commodity-pegged instruments is providing a broad spectrum of options for reserve managers. These innovations are not only addressing the limitations of traditional reserves but also facilitating cross-border transactions, reducing settlement times, and lowering transaction costs. As a result, the synthetic reserve market is experiencing heightened interest from a diverse range of end-users, including investment firms, hedge funds, and multinational corporations.

Regionally, North America and Europe are leading the adoption of synthetic reserve assets, driven by robust financial infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and a strong focus on technological innovation. The Asia Pacific region is witnessing accelerated growth, fueled by proactive government initiatives, rising fintech investments, and increasing cross-border trade activities. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also emerging as promising markets, leveraging synthetic reserves to address currency volatility and enhance financial inclusion. The global synthetic reserve market is thus characterized by dynamic regional trends, with each market segment contributing uniquely to the overall growth trajectory.

In March 2003, banks and selected Registered Financial Corporations (RFCs) began reporting their international assets, liabilities and country exposures to APRA in ARF/RRF 231 International Exposures. This return is the basis of the data provided by Australia to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) for its International Banking Statistics (IBS) data collection. APRA ceased the RFC data collection after September 2010.\r \r The IBS data are based on the methodology described in the BIS Guide on International Financial Statistics (see http://www.bis.org/statistics/intfinstatsguide.pdf; Part II International banking statistics). Data reported for Australia, and other countries, on the BIS website are expressed in United States dollars (USD).\r \r Data are recorded on an end-quarter basis.\r \r This statistical table contains two data worksheets - one presenting data expressed in Australian dollar (AUD) terms and the other in USD terms.\r \r There are two sets of IBS data: locational data, which are used to gauge the role of banks and financial centres in the intermediation of international capital flows; and consolidated data, which can be used to monitor the country risk exposure of national banking systems. Only consolidated data are reported in this statistical table.\r \r ‘Total banks and RFCs’ is also reported in USD equivalent amounts, using the end-quarter AUD/USD exchange rate from statistical table F11. \r \r The consolidated data reported in this statistical table are on the international exposures of banks (and RFCs between March 2003 and September 2010) operating in Australia. The types of assets included here are consistent with the locational data in statistical table B12.1. However, the consolidated data differ from the locational data in three key ways: foreign currency positions with Australian residents are excluded (whereas they are included in the locational data); claims between different offices of the same institution (e.g. between the head office and its subsidiary) are netted (whereas positions, including intra-group positions, are reported on a gross basis in the locational data); and on-balance sheet derivatives are not included in international claims or foreign claims, but are included separately under ‘Derivatives’ in statistical table B13.2. Foreign-owned reporting entities report on an unconsolidated basis.\r \r The consolidated data are split by type of exposure. ‘International claims’ refers to all cross-border claims plus foreign offices’ local claims on residents in foreign currencies; foreign claims refers to all cross-border claims plus foreign offices’ local claims on residents in both local and foreign currencies; immediate risk claims (expressed by the BIS as claims on an immediate borrower basis) cover claims based on the country where the immediate counterparty resides; and ultimate risk claims cover immediate exposures adjusted (via guarantees and other risk transfers) to reflect the location of the ultimate counterparty/risk.\r \r Foreign offices include the overseas branches, subsidiaries and joint ventures of a bank (or RFC between March 2003 and September 2010).\r \r Risk transfers are those transfers of risk from the country of the immediate borrower to the country of ultimate risk as a result of guarantees, collateral, and where the counterparty is a legally dependent branch of a bank headquartered in another country. The risk reallocation includes loans to Australian borrowers that are guaranteed by foreign entities and therefore represent outward risk transfers from Australia, which increase the ultimate exposure to the country of the guarantor. Similarly, foreign lending that is guaranteed by Australian entities is reported as an inward risk transfer to Australia, which reduces the ultimate exposure to the country of the foreign borrower. The risk reallocation also includes transfers between different economic sectors (banks, public sector and non-bank private sector) in the same country. \r \r Foreign claims on an ultimate risk basis are shown for the following types of reporting entity: Australian-owned banks (i.e. those with their parent entity legally incorporated in Australia); foreign subsidiary banks; branches of foreign banks; RFCs; and Australian-owned entities (i.e. Australian-owned banks and RFCs). The RFC data are only available between March 2003 and September 2010.\r \r ‘Foreign claims (ultimate risk basis) – Aust-owned entities’ is also reported in USD equivalent amounts, using the end-quarter AUD/USD exchange rate from statistical table F11.\r

As of 2024, the global landscape of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) largely featured the Middle East. Despite not ranking among the largest global State-Owned Investors (SOIs), the Middle East was home to **** of the top ***SWFs worldwide. The ******* SWF was the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, managing assets just shy of *** trillion U.S. dollars. Asia also played a prominent role in the global SWF landscape. ***** of the world's leading SWFs were domiciled in Asia, the ******* of which was the China Investment Corporation. What are sovereign wealth funds? Sovereign wealth funds are state-owned and are comprised of a wide array of financial assets including stocks, bonds, real estate, precious metals, and other financial instruments. In the main, sovereign wealth funds are funded by foreign-exchange reserves, assets which are held by monetary authorities or central banks in the form of U.S. dollars and other leading world currencies as a way of backing liabilities. Who holds the SWF? A state’s central bank will generally hold the sovereign wealth fund; in the process of its management of a nations funds or banking system funds will be accumulated. These types of state fund are of major economic and fiscal importance, and may be implemented for different objectives: protect the economy against sudden shocks, hedge against the problem of an aging population, or to foster socio-economic development.

The India trade finance industry is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by various factors such as the increasing volume of international trade, government initiatives to promote trade, and the adoption of digital technologies. The market size, valued at $2 million in 2025, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.15% during the forecast period of 2025-2033, reaching $3.8 million by 2033. Key drivers of this growth include the government's focus on promoting exports, the increasing adoption of digital technologies, and the rising need for working capital financing. The industry is also witnessing the emergence of new trends such as the increasing use of blockchain technology, the growing popularity of online trade platforms, and the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning for risk assessment. However, the industry faces certain challenges such as the global economic slowdown, the impact of COVID-19, and regulatory complexities, which may hinder its growth in the coming years. Recent developments include: July 2022: A new foreign exchange mechanism has been introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to stabilize the Indian economy and promote increased international trade. According to a public statement made on July 11th, the system will make it easier for international trade transactions to be made in Indian rupees (INR). Indian importers and exporters can now use their own currency instead of US dollars to pay for transactions. This arrangement needs to be approved by banks first., December 2022: Japan's MUFG Bank announced the execution of a INR 450 crore (USD 54.3 million) sustainable trade finance facility for Tata Power. MUFG has extended this financing for the procurement of two solar power projects of TP Kirnali Limited (TPKL).. Notable trends are: Digitalization is Driving the Market.