Articles by Arvid Ahlund
Top central banker defends Indonesia’s hedging requirement
Bank Indonesia’s senior deputy says the country’s $168bn foreign debt burden is safer than it looks
Retail FX hots up in Australia as traders' risk appetite grows
Volatility in 2015 boosts retail activity, but traders prove fickle with platforms
China opens research centre for RMB internationalisation
The new initiative is a victory for Singapore as it angles to position itself as a leading renminbi hub
Australian players need to play renminbi long game
Panellists were bullish on China's long-term prospects at FX Week Australia; commodities priced in RMB will be a game-changer for Sydney's status as a trading hub
Betting against central banks still a very dangerous game
"Dollar appreciation has been stopped in its tracks as markets reassess Fed policy," panellists argue at FX Week Australia
PBoC confirms Russian swap transactions
Central banks of China and Russia disclose "several currency swap trades" since October, but no details
RBA adds the Korean won to reserve portfolio
Australian central bank continues to unload euro holdings while introducing seventh reserve currency
PBoC eases despite continued depreciation fears
China's central bank cuts reserve requirements amid intricate balancing act between buoying slowing growth, maintaining financial stability, and safeguarding the value of its currency
PBoC’s Zhou dismisses talk of renminbi devaluation
China’s governor says the country is “opposed” to competitive devaluation and capital outflows are likely to subside
China relaxes QFII limits amid calls for capital controls
FX regulator lowers the ‘lock-up’ period, during which foreign investors must wait before repatriating funds, from one year to three months, as analysts warn of renminbi devaluation
Yen drops as BoJ slashes rates below zero
Currency weakens after Bank of Japan announces intensified battle against ‘deflationary mind-set'; the yen will continue to lose ground to the US dollar, analysts say
NZD slides to four-month low as central bank hints at easing
Kiwi reaches lowest levels since October as the RBNZ suggests a prolonged inflation battle; exchange rate predicted to weaken
Hong Kong peg to be tested by speculators, say analysts
The HK dollar hits its lowest level in nearly a decade, placing the peg ‘under fresh scrutiny' and prompting fears of possible attack
PBoC imposes reserve requirements on offshore deposits for first time
The new measure, designed to curb short-selling, shows the determination of China's central bank to stabilise the offshore market in the wake of recent gyrations
RBI and BIS gain access to China's interbank FX market
Second batch of official investors receive permission to trade FX spot and derivatives onshore; MAS and BoK are among them
Outlook for Asian FX in 2016 looks bright
There is a 50/50 chance that China will scrap its dual-currency system in 2016, says one analyst; others worry about the impact of a strong dollar and uncertain trajectory of Fed rate hikes
Non-banks up the ante in Asia's FX markets
Primary providers are seeing their market share for spot and derivatives erode as corporates turn increasingly to non-banks, new research shows
Renminbi payments double between China and Japan
But while the Chinese currency is booming, trading volumes in the wider FX market fell in November
IMF approves renminbi's inclusion in SDR basket
The move puts the renminbi on course to achieve reserve currency status
Best Bank for Scandinavian Currencies: SEB
SEB scoops the prize for trading Scandinavian foreign exchange
Lagarde supports RMB inclusion in SDR basket
IMF managing director endorses the renminbi's inclusion in the special drawing rights basket after a staff report deems it 'freely usable'; executive board decision expected on November 30
China launches direct trading between RMB/CHF
Swiss franc becomes the seventh currency to trade directly against the renminbi; HSBC gains approval to become a market-maker in the pair when it launches
TPP countries strike ‘unprecedented' deal against currency manipulation
The 12 member states of the Pacific free-trade deal sign a declaration vowing comprehensive disclosure of FX data; members will have to abide by rules against competitive devaluation
South Korea eyes panda bonds in China
Local media reports that Korean government has submitted formal request to Beijing following financial co-operation deal struck last week that also paved way for direct RMB/KRW trading