# Special Drawing Rights in a New Decentralized Century

**Authors:** Andreas Veneris, Andreas Park  
**arXiv:** [1907.11057](https://arxiv.org/abs/1907.11057)  
**Date:** 2019-06-25  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1907.11057v1/

## Key points

- The global economy is experiencing political upheaval, anti-establishment propaganda, and looming trade/currency wars that threaten domestic and international value chains.
- The International Monetary System (IMS) predominantly relies on the USD and EUR as reserve currencies, but with the instability of once stable entities like the EU and unprecedented challenges presented by political instability in the US, it is critical for an international organization mandated to ensure stability to plan and act ahead.
- Decentralized Ledger-based technology (DLT) is key for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to mitigate some of those risks, promote stability, and safeguard world prosperity.
- This paper proposes a two-step approach for the IMF to expand Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) into DLT so as to become an originally envisioned numeraire and reserve currency for cross-border transactions in this new decentralized century.
- Expanding SDRs into DLT would allow for more efficient cross-border transactions without relying on traditional banking systems or intermediaries.
- By using smart contracts on a decentralized ledger system, transparency can be ensured while reducing transaction costs.
- Additionally, SDRs could be used as collateral for loans or other financial instruments within DLT ecosystems.
- Embracing DLT technology will allow for greater stability in an increasingly unstable economic environment while promoting innovation in finance.
- The IMF must act quickly to adopt these technologies before they are adopted by private entities who may not have the same goals of promoting stability and safeguarding world prosperity.

## Summary

The global economy has been experiencing political upheaval, anti-establishment propaganda, and looming trade/currency wars that threaten domestic and international value chains. The International Monetary System (IMS) predominantly relies on the USD and EUR as reserve currencies, but with the instability of once stable entities like the EU and unprecedented challenges presented by political instability in the US, it is critical for an international organization mandated to ensure stability to plan and act ahead. In this paper titled "Special Drawing Rights in a New Decentralized Century," Andreas Veneris and Andreas Park argue that Decentralized Ledger-based technology (DLT) is key for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to mitigate some of those risks, promote stability, and safeguard world prosperity. Over the last two years, DLT has made headline news globally and created a worldwide excitement not seen since the internet entered the mainstream. The rapid adoption and open-to-all philosophy of DLT have already redefined global socioeconomics, promises to shake up the world of commerce/finance, and challenges traditional central governments/regulators. This paper examines DLT core premises and proposes a two-step approach for the IMF to expand Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) into that sphere so as to become an originally envisioned numeraire and reserve currency for cross-border transactions in this new decentralized century. The authors suggest that expanding SDRs into DLT would allow for more efficient cross-border transactions without relying on traditional banking systems or intermediaries. By using smart contracts on a decentralized ledger system, transparency can be ensured while reducing transaction costs. Additionally, SDRs could be used as collateral for loans or other financial instruments within DLT ecosystems. Overall, Veneris and Park argue that embracing DLT technology will allow for greater stability in an increasingly unstable economic environment while promoting innovation in finance. The IMF must act quickly to adopt these technologies before they are adopted by private entities who may not have the same goals of promoting stability and safeguarding world prosperity.