Zaltina's Collection

Introduction When you transfer money overseas - maybe paying university fees in U.S. or sending money to a family in Europe - your bank doesnt stuff cash into an envelope and ship it across the ocean. Instead, a hidden global network passess the message that triggers your payment. That network is called SWIFT - the Societ for Worlwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. It's not flashy. It doesn't "move" money. But without it, global finance would grind to a halt. Let's break down how it works, why it matters, and how countries like China, Russia, and the BRICS are trying to challenge it.

Introduction Did you know the BRICS Nation- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa- together represent over 40% of the total world population and nearly a quarter of the global GDP? This powerful bloc is reshaping the global order by challenging Western-led systems in Trade, finance and diplomacy. In this post we dive into what BRICS really stands for, how it works, and why its rise matters more than ever in the shifting balance of the global governance. Origin and Purpose: Why BRICS was Born First coined in the year of 2001, at that time called 'BRIC', consisting of Brazil, Russia, India and China. In the year of 2010, South Africa joined and thus in that year BRICS was born.

  The Rise of the U.S. Dollar as the Global Currency The U.S. dollar today is more than just a national currency—it is the backbone of the global financial system. From trade invoicing and foreign reserves to oil transactions and debt markets, the dollar reigns supreme. But how did it get here? This blog explores the journey of the dollar, tracing its roots from the gold standard to its present dominance, and highlights the critical milestones, policies, and geopolitical maneuvers that solidified its position. 1. Origins and Context In the 19th and early 20th centuries, global trade operated under the gold standard, where currencies were pegged to gold. The British pound sterling led international finance, backed by the economic might of the British Empire. However, World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II shattered this system. Many countries suspended gold convertibility to finance the wars. Britain officially abandoned the gold standard in 1931, diminishing the p...