Currency: Fundamentals and Functions

This text is designed to establish an understanding of the fundamentals of currency.  It provides a cursory overview of the international Monetary System of which currency is the core.


To enhance the readers’ foundation, the second phase of the text provides an explanation of how and why the International Monetary Fund was established.  That formation is tracked from initial formation of a fixed par value to our modern day system of floating exchange rates.


With those fundamentals established, a presentation is provided to enable the reader to entertain the basic functioning of currency in the context of a global setting; the functioning of domestic international markets and external-Eurocurrency markets.


That function process introduces sovereign and credit risks that accompany currency in the International Monetary System.  A brief but concise presentation is provided to the reader to explain the source of these risks and the reason.


Lastly, currency in itself has taxable transaction features.  In a global setting it necessitates recognition of a means to manage those risks inherent in global trade, external currency markets, and capital investment.  These facets are explained and documented.


Author_Bio: Tulane University School of Law Graduate School of Law Program, Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D. 1996), New Orleans, Louisiana; Boston University School of Law Graduate Program in Banking Law Studies (LL.M. International Banking, 1992); Boston Massachusetts; Boston University School of Law Graduate Tax Program (LL.M. Taxation 1974); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama (J.D. 1973); Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota (B.S.B.A. 1969). 


Licensed to practice law: The Florida Bar and The Tennessee Bar, and admitted to the United States Tax Court and the United States Court of Federal Claims.


Keywords: Currency, Eurocurrency, IMF, Gold, Credit Risk, Sovereign Risk, Taxation of Financial Instruments, International Monetary System.