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Dollarization Waves: New Evidence from a Comprehensive International Bond Database

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Abstract

We investigate how the U.S. dollar's prominence in the denomination of international debt securities has evolved in recent decades, using a comprehensive global dataset with far more extensive coverage than datasets used in prior literature. We find no monotonic dollarization or de-dollarization trend; instead, the dollar's share exhibits a wavelike pattern. We document three dollarization waves since the 1960s. The last wave, following the global financial crisis, lifted the dollar's share nearly back to its level at the euro's launch in 2000. Our findings are robust to composition and currency valuation effects as well as alternative data definitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Swapan-Kumar Pradhan & Eswar S. Prasad & Judit Temesvary, 2025. "Dollarization Waves: New Evidence from a Comprehensive International Bond Database," International Finance Discussion Papers 1429, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgif:1429
    DOI: 10.17016/IFDP.2025.1429
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    JEL classification:

    • F30 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - General
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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