Money and its functions

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An introduction to the concept of money, its history, forms, and different functions that it serves in the economy.

Money and its Definition: Understanding the basics of what money is and how it functions.
The History of Money: Learning about the evolution of money over time and the different types of currencies used throughout history.
The Quantity Theory of Money: A theory explaining the relationship between the quantity of money in an economy and the price level of goods and services.
The Central Bank: The institution responsible for managing the money supply and regulating the banking sector.
Monetary Policy: The actions taken by central banks to manage the money supply and influence the economy.
Inflation: The rate at which the general price level of goods and services is rising over time.
Deflation: The opposite of inflation, where the general price level of goods and services is decreasing over time.
Interest Rates: The cost of borrowing money and the return on savings and investments.
Exchange Rates: The value of one currency in relation to another.
Fiscal Policy: The decisions made by governments regarding taxes, spending, and borrowing.
Economic Growth: The rate at which an economy is expanding over time.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): A measure of the total economic output within a country.
Unemployment: The percentage of the population that is without a job.
Financial Markets: The markets where investors buy and sell financial assets such as stocks and bonds.
International Trade: The exchange of goods and services between countries.
Balance of Payments: The record of all financial transactions between a country and the rest of the world.
Money Supply: The amount of money available in the economy.
Velocity of Money: The speed at which money changes hands in the economy.
Fractional Reserve Banking: The banking system where banks only keep a fraction of deposits on hand and lend out the rest.
Money Multiplier: The amount by which the money supply increases in response to an increase in reserves.
Trade Deficit/Surplus: The difference between the value of exports and imports in a country.
Gold Standard: A monetary system where the value of money is tied to the value of gold.
Fiat Currency: A currency that is not backed by a physical commodity such as gold.
Hyperinflation: Extreme inflation that results in a rapid decrease in the value of money.
Financial Crisis: A period of severe economic disruption usually caused by a sudden, unexpected event.
Cryptocurrency: A digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and is not tied to any physical asset.
Financial Regulation: Laws and regulations that govern the behavior of financial institutions.
Money laundering: The illegal process of concealing the origins of money obtained through criminal activities.
Credit rating: A measure of the creditworthiness of an individual or an organization based on previous borrowing behavior.
Financial innovation: Introduction of new financial products and services.
Commodity Money: This type of money is made of precious metals such as gold or silver and has intrinsic value.
Fiat Money: This type of money has no intrinsic value and is accepted by law as a means of payment.
Virtual Currency: This type of money is digital and is traded online, with popular examples including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Legal Tender: This type of money is officially recognized by the government as a means of payment and must be accepted in payment of debts.
Bank Money: This type of money is created by commercial banks through the process of lending. It includes deposits and checking accounts.
Credit Money: This type of money is created by borrowing and represents a promise to pay in the future.
Electronic Money: This type of money is digital and is stored on a smart card, mobile phone or computer.
Bullion: This type of money is made of precious metals such as gold or silver and is traded in bulk.
Plastic Money: This type of money refers to credit or debit cards, which are made of plastic and allow transactions to occur without the need for cash.
Travellers Cheques: This type of money is a cheque issued by a financial institution and can be used as a means of payment when travelling.
Foreign Currency: This type of money is the currency of another country and is used in international trade and investment.
Cryptocurrency: This type of money is a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange using cryptography to secure the transactions and to control the creation of additional units.
- "Money is any item or verifiable record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts."
- "The primary functions which distinguish money are: medium of exchange, a unit of account, a store of value and sometimes, a standard of deferred payment."
- "Nearly all contemporary money systems are based on unbacked fiat money without use value."
- "Its value is consequently derived by social convention, having been declared by a government or regulatory entity to be legal tender."
- "Legal tender... must be accepted as a form of payment within the boundaries of the country, for 'all debts, public and private'."
- "The money supply of a country comprises all currency in circulation and... one or more types of bank money."
- "Bank money... can be converted into physical notes or used for cashless payment."
- "Bank money... forms by far the largest part of broad money in developed countries."
- "Money was historically an emergent market phenomenon that possessed intrinsic value as a commodity."
- "Money is generally accepted as payment... for repayment of debts, such as taxes."
- "Money is any item... that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services."
- "Money is a unit of account."
- "Money is... a store of value."
- "Money is sometimes... a standard of deferred payment."
- "Its value is consequently derived by social convention."
- "It must be accepted as a form of payment within the boundaries of the country... in the case of the United States dollar."
- "The money supply of a country comprises all currency in circulation (banknotes and coins currently issued)."
- "Bank money... can be used for cashless payment."
- "Bank money, whose value exists on the books of financial institution... forms by far the largest part of broad money in developed countries."
- "Nearly all contemporary money systems are based on unbacked fiat money without use value."