Victory of President-Elect ‘Lula’ in Brazil Might Bring the Rise of a Common Currency for Latam

The victory President-Elect Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva obtained on Oct. 30 over the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil might open the gates for the proposal of a single currency for the countries of Latam. Lula announced this as part of his campaign, preaching the utility of a common currency as a way of fighting … Read more

Brussels to Spur Rollout of Instant Payments in Euro, Proposes Legislation

The European Commission has approved a proposal to accelerate the introduction of euro instant payments. The technology is there and Europeans should be able to send and receive money immediately, the executive body said, revealing its intentions to push the industry toward wide adoption. EU Moves to Make Instant Payments Widely Available Throughout Europe A … Read more

Proposals for New Common Currency Resonate in Latam, to Undermine US Dollar Dependency

Two new proposals for a new common currency to be established in Latam have been made recently. Former Brazilian president and candidate Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva mentioned the idea in May, and the president of the Colombian Congress, Roy Barreras, mentioned the same idea during the inauguration of president Gustavo Petro earlier this month. … Read more

Euro Inflation Hits Record Highs, ECB Not in Rush to Raise Interest Rates

The European Central Bank is concerned over inflation in the euro area rising beyond its own expectations, a high-ranking ECB official has admitted. However, Europe’s monetary authority is not prepared to raise interest rates at this point in time, the executive unveiled. ECB Sees No Reason to Adjust Interest Rates Despite Eurozone Inflation Reaching 5% … Read more

Africa Will ‘One Day Have a Common Currency’ Says Secretary General of African Continental Free Trade Area

The secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) secretariat, Wamkele Mene, says Africa will “one day have a common currency” via a proposed “Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).” He adds that such a currency will help “ease constraints of settling intra-African trade in foreign-denominated currency.” Challenges Ahead In comments recently carried by … Read more

Mario Draghi Leaves European Central Bank Without Ever Raising Interest Rates

Preparing for a change at the top, the European Central Bank has decided to keep interest rates on hold and at their all-time lows. Mario Draghi, who had his last monetary policy meeting as president of the ECB, is leaving after an eight-year term during which key rates were never raised. At the subsequent press … Read more