#exchange-rates

#exchange-rates

The U.S. dollar's value has fallen 8% over the past year, as the price of gold has skyrocketed, said the WSJ Dollar Index. Some think it is a good thing. President Donald Trump said recently a weaker dollar is great. The idea is a weaker currency boosts exports and employment while a strong currency can throttle an economy. While the idea of a weaker dollar has had supporters over the decades, economists often argue gains can be eaten up by domestic inflation and deflation.

Sending remittances to India is more than a financial transaction-it is a lifeline that keeps families connected. According to the World Bank, India remained the world's largest recipient of remittances in 2024, receiving an estimated US$129 billion. These inflows help families in India pay for daily expenses, education, healthcare and emergencies. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands host large Indian‑origin communities that regularly send money home.

Accepting payments from customers around the world adds a layer of complexity that businesses only notice once they begin trading across borders. Different currencies, shifting exchange rates and varied banking rules all influence how smoothly a transaction clears. When a payment system is built with local use in mind, these international details tend to trip it up. A setup designed for global traffic handles these differences without slowing customers down. Businesses that plan for this early usually avoid the friction that appears when customers pay in unfamiliar currencies, especially when those customers expect a checkout that behaves consistently no matter where they live or which payment method they prefer.

AI Summary Trade wars. Tariffs. Trump. Since the start of 2025, the media has been hyper-focused on the three Ts. The relationship between the U.S. and Canada has been portrayed as adversarial, and one that's created a chasm between traditionally close friends on the world stage. Despite the headlines, Canadians are flocking to U.S. real estate. What's driving this movement? Some reasons are obvious, but there's much more beneath the surface than you might expect.