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Singapore’s central bank chief sees ‘no alternative’ to US dollar assets despite downgrade

Even with three major credit rating agencies now downgrading the US, Singapore’s central bank boss says US dollar assets are irreplaceable

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A clerk sorts US$100 notes at a bank in Seoul, South Korea, earlier this month. Photo: Yonhap/EPA-EFE
Bloomberg
US dollar-based assets have “enduring advantages” and remain virtually irreplaceable in the global financial system despite the United States losing its top triple-A credit rating, according to Singapore’s central bank chief.

“They are the dominant, safe assets for use in the financial system, deeply embedded,” Monetary Authority of Singapore Managing Director Chia Der Jiun said at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday.

“The US$28-trillion Treasury market is fundamental and systemic to the global financial system and there is no alternative for this point.”

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Moody’s Ratings last week stripped the US of its top credit rating, a landmark move that casts doubt on the nation’s status as the world’s highest-quality sovereign borrower.
The headquarters of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the city state’s central bank. Photo: Reuters
The headquarters of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the city state’s central bank. Photo: Reuters

In lowering the US by one notch below the highest investment-grade position, the credit rater joins Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings in downgrading the world’s biggest economy. US long-dated debt initially sold off in response to the Moody’s downgrade.

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