Tag: Money & Currencies

“If you wrote something for which someone sent you a check, if you cashed the check and it didn’t bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented.”

Indian Rupee Goes Global

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Finance & Economics14 Comments

The Indian rupee (INR) is gaining momentum as an international currency, as more countries are opting to trade in INR instead of the US dollar. This is a significant development for India's economy, as it reduces the dependency on foreign exchange reserves, lowers transaction costs, and boosts exports. Trading in INR is also in line with India's vision of becoming a self-reliant and resilient economy. As more countries join the bandwagon of trading in INR, India can expect to reap more benefits and advantages from its international trade relations.

The Credit Suisse Collapse: What Went Wrong & What Are the Lessons?

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Finance & Economics6 Comments

Credit Suisse was once one of the world's leading banks, with a reputation for innovation and excellence. But in March 2023, it shocked the financial world by announcing that it had run out of cash and was being taken over by its rival UBS. How did this happen? And what can other banks learn from its demise? Credit Suisse's collapse is a cautionary tale for all banks that want to survive and thrive in the post-pandemic era. They need to be agile, customer-centric, and responsible if they want to avoid becoming obsolete or irrelevant.

Silicon Valley Bank: How Does a Bank Collapse in 48 Hours?

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Finance & Economics10 Comments

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was a well-capitalized institution seeking to raise some funds. Within 48 hours, a panic induced by the very venture capital community that SVB had served and nurtured ended the bank’s 40-year run. While relatively unknown outside of Silicon Valley, SVB was among the top 20 American commercial banks, with US$209 billion in total assets at the end of last year. Faced with higher interest rates, loss of IPOs, and a funding drought, SVB’s clients began pulling money out of the bank. Lenders somewhat similar to SVB are in an unfortunate situation. A failure to protect deposits over $250,000 could cause a loss of faith in other mid-sized banks. Analysts said SVB’s collapse is unlikely to set off the kind of domino effect that gripped the banking industry during the financial crisis.

Dollar-Rupee Heading 80 & May Hit 82

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Finance & Economics7 Comments

The Indian rupee has plunged more than 6 per cent against the US dollar this year and tumbled to record lows against the American currency in recent weeks, weighed down by broad strength in the greenback and as investors retreated from domestic share markets. This is in spite of the Indian central bank’s conviction and actions to stall a freefall. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has attempted to save the vulnerable rupee. The analysts say the dollar is likely going to remain strong for the next three months, possibly to the end of the year. The Fed wants to maintain a strong dollar so that the dollar can remain the world's major reserve currency.

Can the Chinese Renminbi Challenge the US Dollar?

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Finance & Economics10 Comments

China has pushed for greater Renminbi adoption across Africa, and its recent talks with Saudi Arabia for a Renminbi-based oil deal have signaled that nations are at least thinking about some alternative or counterweight to the US dollar. For China to continue pushing the Renminbi to take on a greater share of the global reserve currency, it would have to prove the Renminbi's long-term stability to win the trust of other nations.

e-RUPI: A voucher System Ahead of Digital Currency in India

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Finance & Economics, Science & Technology4 Comments

e-RUPI is a cashless and contactless digital payments medium, which will be delivered to mobile phones of beneficiaries in form of an SMS string or a QR code. These vouchers are person- and purpose-specific, meaning if they are released by the government for the purpose of vaccination, then they can be redeemed only for that. Now you can make payment through this e-Rupi Digital Payment at any place in the country.

Hackers Program ATMs to Spew Cash

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Finance & Economics, Science & Technology15 Comments

As ATMs have become ubiquitous, so too have attacks that turn these automated tellers into robotic thieves. In July 2016, a group of masked cyber-criminals cashed out 34 ATMs operated by the First Commercial Bank, one of Taiwan’s largest banks. Criminals had collected more than 83.27 million New Taiwan dollars (US$2.6 million) in cash — without using ATM cards. The criminals did not physically damage the ATMs, nor did they use skimmers or bank cards.