ThinkTankWeekly

The Fate of the Dollar: Digital Currencies and Geopolitical Challengers

CFR | 2026-05-18 | economy

Topics: China, United States, Economy

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English Summary

The panel argues that the U.S. dollar's global monetary dominance is facing significant challenges from rising geopolitical competition and the rapid proliferation of digital currencies. Key evidence centers on the increasing adoption of alternative payment systems and the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) by rival nations. These shifts suggest a fragmentation of the global monetary order, necessitating that major economies reassess their financial infrastructure and international trade mechanisms to mitigate potential de-dollarization risks.

中文摘要

該小組認為,美元在全球的貨幣主導地位正面臨來自地緣政治競爭加劇和數位貨幣快速擴散的重大挑戰。關鍵證據集中在替代支付系統的日益採用,以及競爭國家開發央行數位貨幣(CBDCs)的趨勢。這些轉變暗示著全球貨幣秩序的碎片化,要求主要經濟體必須重新評估其金融基礎設施和國際貿易機制,以減緩潛在的去美元化風險。

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