Competition of the world leading currencies: Features of the current stage

Abstract

Subject. The article analyzes the competition of the world leading currencies in the global economy, specifics of the current stage, trends in the role of particular currencies in the global market. Objectives. The purpose is to review the current positions of the U.S. Dollar, Euro and Yuan in the global financial markets, assess prospects for maintaining the leading role of the U.S. Dollar, development trends in the position of Euro and Yuan. Methods. I applied the content analysis of available sources, provide a historical overview of issues under consideration, scrutinized the estimates of financial analysts. Results. The paper unveils reasons for increased competition of the leading currencies (U.S. Dollar, Euro, Yuan) in the global foreign exchange market, which include an increase in the scale of payment transactions in the global financial and commodity markets. It also reveals trends in the use of particular currencies in foreign trade and financial transactions, evaluates prospects for the use of specific world currencies in the global economy. Conclusions. At present, U.S. Dollar maintains its leading positions. However, in the future, an increase in the use of Euro- and Yuan-denominated transactions should be expected in the commodity and financial markets due to enlarged presence of Chinese companies in the global economy. Further development of European integration can ensure the expansion of the single European currency in the global financial market. The share of Yuan in foreign exchange reserves of central banks tends to increase. Private investors' demand for Yuan is also expected to grow.