A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of goods and services. It is one form of money, where money is anything that serves as a medium of exchange, a store of value, and a standard of value. Historically, currencies have developed items considered valuable such as shells, or cattle, to the use of precious metals first in forms such as ingots and later coins, and then to credit and paper money. Fiat money removes the concept of money as a commodity, guaranteeing that it has the value stated on it. There are also privately issued currencies that may be redeemed only by those who produce them.
In most cases, each country has monopoly control over the supply and production of its own currency, usually through a central bank. Member countries of the European Union's Economic and Monetary Union are a notable exception to this rule, as they have ceded control of monetary policy to the European Central Bank and accept the Euro as their common currency.
Although the United States dollar has been the de facto world currency, the possibility of developing an official world currency has come under discussion. Such a currency would be supported by a central bank for all transactions around the world, a step towards a more unified global society.
In most cases, each country has monopoly control over the supply and production of its own currency, usually through a central bank. Member countries of the European Union's Economic and Monetary Union are a notable exception to this rule, as they have ceded control of monetary policy to the European Central Bank and accept the Euro as their common currency.
Although the United States dollar has been the de facto world currency, the possibility of developing an official world currency has come under discussion. Such a currency would be supported by a central bank for all transactions around the world, a step towards a more unified global society.
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