

These countries include Ecuador, Panama and El Salvador, among others.

While the value of the dollar is primarily influenced by US economic performance and demand for commodities, its value can also be influenced by fluctuations in the economic performance of other countries that use the dollar – either officially or as their de facto currency.

3 And thirdly, many commodities are priced in dollars, including gold, oil and copper. Secondly, the US dollar is the world’s primary ‘reserve currency’, held by central and commercial banks for the purposes of international transactions and investment – estimated to make up nearly 63% of currency reserves by volume. Firstly, the US is the world’s largest economy and a powerhouse in international trade. There are several reasons for its popularity. It is the number one most traded currency globally, accounting for a daily average volume of US$2.9 trillion. Issued by the Federal Reserve (Fed), the US dollar is the official currency of the United States.
