
The SDR basket is a group of currencies that serve as a reserve asset for the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The basket consists of five currencies: the US dollar, the euro, the Chinese renminbi, the Japanese yen, and the British pound.
These five currencies were chosen for their economic significance and stability. The US dollar is the most widely traded currency in the world, while the euro is the second most widely traded. The Chinese renminbi is the third most widely traded, and the Japanese yen and British pound are also among the top 10 most traded currencies.
The SDR basket is reviewed every five years to ensure its currency composition remains relevant. The last review was in 2015, and the next one is scheduled for 2020. The review process involves a thorough assessment of each currency's economic performance and stability.
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What is the Basket?
A basket of currencies is a collection of selected national currencies, each assigned specific weightings based on criteria like GDP, trade volume, and economic stability.
The value of the basket is determined by the combined value of these currencies according to their assigned weights.
Each currency in the basket is assigned a specific weighting, which means some currencies carry more influence than others.
The weightings are based on factors such as a country's GDP and trade volume, which gives a sense of its economic importance.
A basket of currencies is more stable than relying on a single global reserve currency, which is a good thing because it avoids the credit crunches associated with deflation crises.
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Central Banks and Governments
Central banks and governments play a significant role in the currency reevaluation process. They participate in negotiations to advocate for their national interests and influence the weighting decisions.
Central banks provide economic data and forecasts that inform the weighting decisions, often leading statistical agencies in this effort. This data is crucial in determining the value of each country's currency in the basket.
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Central banks and governments work together to ensure that their national interests are represented in the negotiations. This collaborative effort helps to shape the final basket of currencies.
Here's a breakdown of the key roles played by central banks and governments:
- Participation in Negotiations: Central banks and government representatives advocate for their national interests.
- Data Provision: They provide economic data and forecasts that inform weighting decisions.
Impact on Currency
The impact of a currency basket on foreign exchange (FX) exchange rates is a complex topic. Adopting a basket of currencies could significantly impact FX exchange rates.
Altered currency demand is a key factor, as reduced demand for dominant currencies like the USD may lead to their depreciation, while increased demand for currencies included in the basket could cause appreciation.
This could lead to exchange rate volatility, but diversification may reduce overall volatility in the long run. Transitional periods could see increased fluctuations, however.
Large central banks might adjust interest rates or intervene in FX markets, influencing exchange rates. The U.S. Federal Reserve's dominance may reduce, while the influence of the European Central Bank (ECB), People's Bank of China (PBoC), Bank of Japan (BoJ), and others may grow.
SDR Basket Weights
The SDR basket weights are a crucial aspect of the basket of currencies system. The weights are determined by adding the issuer country's exports and the amount of currency held in other countries' reserves.
A method used since 1978 involves assigning weights based on 67 percent of exports and 33 percent of reserves. However, this method has some shortcomings, such as not being reflective enough of private international financial flows.
Calculating the weight of the RMB in the possible basket is not straightforward due to poor data availability on RMB reserves. IMF staff estimate a share of 14-15 percent using the current method.
Adjusting the weights of co-moving currencies in the basket can help mitigate the risk of increasing volatility. The RMB and USD have shown a high degree of co-movement in the past.
Impact on FX Rates
Adopting a basket of currencies could significantly impact FX exchange rates. This is because the demand for certain currencies may change, leading to their depreciation or appreciation. For instance, if a currency like the USD is no longer dominant in the basket, its value may decrease.
Reduced demand for dominant currencies like the USD may lead to their depreciation. This could have a ripple effect on the global economy. The value of the USD has historically been a safe haven for investors, so a decrease in its value could lead to a shift in investment strategies.
Increased demand for currencies included in the basket could cause their appreciation. This is because investors may see these currencies as more stable and secure. The European Central Bank (ECB), for example, may have more influence in the FX market if the EUR is included in the basket.
Large central banks might adjust interest rates or intervene in FX markets, influencing exchange rates. The U.S. Federal Reserve's dominance may reduce, while the influence of the ECB, People's Bank of China (PBoC), Bank of Japan (BoJ), and others may grow.
Diversification may reduce overall volatility in FX exchange rates. However, transitional periods could see increased fluctuations. This is because markets may adjust to the new basket of currencies, leading to temporary price movements.
The changes in FX exchange rates could have a significant impact on international trade and investment. Businesses and individuals may need to adjust their strategies to account for the new exchange rates. This could lead to increased costs or reduced profits for some companies.
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Country Considerations

Some countries have their currency tied to a basket of foreign currencies instead of a single currency, which can significantly impact FX exchange rates.
Countries like Hong Kong and Bahrain have chosen to tie their currencies to a basket of foreign currencies, rather than a single currency like the US dollar.
Aruba, the Bahamas, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia have pegged their currency to the US dollar, which can be a more stable option but may limit their economic flexibility.
Here are some countries that have their currency tied to a basket of foreign currencies:
It's worth noting that the fixed exchange rate is maintained by the central bank, which can buy or sell official foreign currency reserves or increase or decrease domestic interest rates to keep the exchange rate within the target range.
Countries with Fixed Exchange Rates
Countries with fixed exchange rates are a fascinating topic. Aruba, for instance, has its currency tied to the US dollar.

The Bahamas, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia also peg their currencies to the US dollar. Iraq is another country that has its currency tied to the US dollar.
Some countries, however, peg their currencies to a basket of foreign currencies instead of a single currency. Unfortunately, the article doesn't provide a list of these countries.
Here's a list of countries with their currencies tied to the US dollar:
- Aruba
- The Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Hong Kong
- Iraq
- Saudi Arabia
Emirates Revaluation Considered
The United Arab Emirates is considering a revaluation of its currency, the dirham, against the dollar. This move aims to combat growing inflation, partly caused by the weakness of the American currency.
The exchange rate between the dollar and the dirham has been fixed at 3.67 per dollar for many years. This has had a significant impact on the economy, particularly in oil-exporting countries.
A report from the Dubai commerce chamber has requested the central bank to consider revaluing the dirham. The report highlights the effects of dollar weakness on the oil price, which has brought increasing liquidity to oil-exporting countries, but also strong inflationary pressures.
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For example, in 2007, the rate of inflation was 7% in Saudi Arabia and 14% in Qatar. This is a concern for the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.
The GCC countries are scheduled to implement a monetary union by 2010. However, the weak dollar is endangering this process. Analysts suggest that a revaluation of the national currencies and a switch to a peg against a basket of foreign currencies could assist in the process of monetary unification.
Here are some key statistics on the effects of dollar weakness:
- Abundant liquidity and expansionary macroeconomic policies have fuelled domestic demand and led to a surge in inflation rates in the Gulf region.
- The GCC countries have experienced a sustained depreciation of their real effective exchange rates and an increase in imported inflation.
- Enormous current account surpluses alone justify currency revaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What currencies are in the SDR basket?
The SDR basket consists of 5 major currencies: US Dollar, British Pound Sterling, Japanese Yen, Euro, and Chinese Renminbi. These currencies are used to determine the value of the SDR.
Sources
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/whats-brics-basket-redefining-global-trade-reserve-currency-zhang-b9nxe
- https://www.bofbulletin.fi/en/2015/articles/will-chinese-renminbi-be-included-in-imf-currency-basket-/
- https://www.bis.org/statistics/eer.htm
- https://www.vaia.com/en-us/explanations/macroeconomics/international-economics/fixed-exchange-rate/
- https://www.asianews.it/news-en/The-Emirates-are-considering-a-revaluation-against-the-dollar-11435.html
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